12 Days of Christmas - Day 12 - The night before...

... getting on an airplane!!!  (did you think I was going to say Christmas?  :) I wish!!!)

Advent Calendar all done!  AK called it her chocolate calendar. 

Showing off the new jammies!

I found this lovely Advent calendar at a rummage sale earlier this year - it's a cardboard tree with little drawers that have numbers on one side and a picture on the other.  I filled up drawers 1-12 with M&Ms and a tiny ornament that AK put on her little tree by her bed every night.  She was SO great with this calendar - there was a few nights where she'd pop out of bed and run down the stairs shouting "Mommy, we forgot about the chocolate calendar!".  Ha ha!  She really enjoyed looking forward to seeing what kind of ornament was in each drawer. 

On AK's last night, I pulled out her new Christmas jammies...  she loved the purple color and ruffles on the bottom.  I think these will be favorite jammies for a while to come! 

I took the morning off of work the day AK flew out - we had lots of cuddles and love before she left.  She was so excited and kept telling me about all the cousins she'd see, especially Kayli who is "the best cousin".  Those girl cousins do have a special bond!

As much as I am missing AK, I am hearing stories about how much fun she is having in Canada.  I know she's surrounded by people who love her dearly and who are enjoying the time with her.  I skyped with her one night, and she was wearing nothing but a sundress...  brrr... 

Am already really looking forward to her return in just over a week...  the Christmas tree is still up and presents will be piled high for AK.  Thankfully Richard and I have been keeping busy - Christmas celebrations along with wedding planning have filled up our time!