Santa and a BIG Surprise from Momma and Daddy

The girls must have been really good this year, because they got exactly what they wanted from Santa.  Charley loved her "cool" chair, which made the perfect addition to her new tween room we finished a few months ago.  She also got a llama pillow, pom pom throw and cheer outfit, but her 7 year old dreams came true with another box full of MAC lipsticks and a giant, rainbow package of Sharpies.  The look on Carter's face was priceless when she saw the "horsey and thing with the chickens from the American Doll Store" that her little heart had desired for months!  She loved the rest of her goodies from Santa, but every time I turned around, she was back at the stable petting and loving on her horse...seriously, so cute! 

Carter knew exactly where to find the horse and stable at the "American Doll" store...thankfully, I knew where to find Carter every time she disappeared when we shopped there!  haha

I love shopping from a wishlist, because I know the gift given will be exactly what someone wants or needs.  The negative side of that eliminates the element of surprise....and I LOVE good surprises, grand gestures and being over the top (as Amma endearingly references).  So when I went to Craig with my bright idea about surprising the girls on Christmas Day with a trampoline that they hadn't asked for...in addition to their yearly piece of jewelry...I was skeptical.  It's not that I didn't think he would agree..eventually...but we have our roles to play in big decisions.  I'm a lot of nonsense, and he's a lot of no nonsense.  Lucky for him, I'm basically a professional shopper and had researched the styles, brands, safety features and warranties before deciding on an awesome trampoline from Happy Backyards in Franklin...but honestly, with a name like Happy Backyards, how could we go wrong?!?  haha

We were so giddy all through Christmas anticipating the big reveal.  When the girls finally opened the note telling them to go outside (it rhymed and was much cuter than just go outside), the look on their faces was a combination of total bewilderment and joy!  They were so confused and so excited all at the same time.  At that moment, we had a very happy backyard...probably the happiest backyard in town!