Christmas Day

Christmas Day arrived with much anticipation and excitement!  Despite the fact that the stomach bug hit our house that weekend and hit Mary Ellen mid day on Christmas, it was a lot of fun.  Mary Ellen was very excited to see what Santa brought.  She looked at us and said, "Santa brought my basketball goal."  She then begin to wonder how he got it in the house! She loves her penguin and has named it Lara.  That seems to be the name of choice for everything!  She went through everything with much excitement, and then she was ready to move to our Advent calendar and welcome Jesus to our nativity scene.  She continued to say, "Merry Christmas!  Happy Birthday, Jesus!" Charlotte liked her toys too.  Of course, she had to try things in her mouth and quickly moved on to see everything.  She also had to check out big sister's toys, too!

After Church, we went to Caki and Bo's house again.  Like I said, Mary Ellen got sick on Christmas day.  We made it through the morning, but about the time we were going to open presents, it hit her.  She was a trooper and excitedly opened presents and took pictures, but, she was definitely not herself.  I have noticed that once it has passed, she is getting to the point of truly enjoying and seeing everything that she got.  Charlotte continued to enjoy it, including really getting into opening presents and seeing everything!

Both were very excited about playing their jingle bells!

Trying on her new hat from her stocking!

Mary Ellen loved her penguin hat and the penguin bag.  She was ready to see what was inside.

Charlotte with her new zoo.

One of Mary Ellen's presents had to note to play the hot and cold game to find her present.  She found that she had gotten a new Kitchen.  In the midst of feeling bad, she was very excited and wanted everyone to see it!

She also got a Princess scooter.

I think that this is Charlotte's favorite present - a baby doll.

Mary Ellen modeling the neat new headband that Susie made.

Daddy had a note to play the hot and cold game, too.  He was very excited about what he found at the end of his game!!!

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we went to church, and then went to Caki and Bo's house.  We were going to have dinner at our our house, but because of being sick, we moved it.  

 When we made cookies, Mary Ellen made special ones for Santa.  We had put them in a special container marked for Santa, so we would have them for Christmas Eve.  After getting pjs on, she went right to them and we got them ready to set out.  She had some difficulty going to sleep that night, but once she settled down, Santa arrived!

Merry Christmas from the Richeys!

 Merry Christmas from our family to yours!  We are so excited that you spend time with our family through this blog.  It is wonderful to keep up with everyone through this means.  Here are a few seasonal pics, including one of the cousins.  As you can see, it is not easy to get pics these days, but hopefully, you can enjoy the fun of the holiday season.  We will definitely have much more to share in the coming days!  

Merry, Merry Christmas!

Graduation Day!!!!

 After much anticipation, Graduation Day came for Paul.  All of us were so excited to celebrate the wonderful accomplishment!  He immediately was ready to show off his wonderful new diploma.  The girls weren't really sure what it all meant, but Mary Ellen continued to be proud of her daddy.  We watched him from a screen in a special room for those with "young kids," but when it got to his area, we went into the chapel, so she could see him in person.  I think that she was overwhelmed by the size and the people, but she was so glad to say that she saw her daddy!  Congrats, Dr. Paul!

Kentucky Trip

 While in Kentucky for Paul's graduation, we had many other things going on.  We were able to see a Christmas parade, spend time with Nene, Pops, and Aunt Sarah, honor daddy at a reception, and the girls favorite part of having an early Christmas!  

The girls got to enjoy a little McDonald's as they watched the parade go by.  Mary Ellen was so surprised when there was candy, and she anxiously awaited the arrival of Santa. 

Mary Ellen having her own little tractor ride.  The weather didn't allow for more than one day of doing this, but Mary Ellen was really excited to get to experience this fun ride.  

It was hard to postpone our Christmas celebration for long once Mary Ellen saw the presents wrapped under the tree.  She kept asking when we were going to have Christmas.  She got so excited when she was able to pass out presents.  I wish I had a video camera when she opened her big present of a Disney Princess Castle.  The picture shows a little bit of the excitement.  She was so excited about things, especially all of her wonderful princess things.  Charlotte was even excited to get her sing and play puppy dog.  It is like it is her new best friend.  Everyone had a lot of fun and loved being able to experience Christmas with Nene, Pops, and Sarah.

Here are a few pictures from the reception for Paul in honor of his graduation.  

The Girls with Aunt Sarah

The Girls with Molly

The Girls with Pops and Great-Granddaddy