Christmas morning started early at our house, although we realize not as early as at some houses, of which we are very grateful for:) Ethan and Haley both woke up around 6:30am and we brought them both into our room and let them entertain us and each other for about half an hour. When Emily still wasn't awake, we all went into her room quietly and started singing We Wish You a Merry Christmas. She woke up slowly, but in a pleasant and happy mood, which is ALWAYS a good thing:)
We then went downstairs and let all 3 of them dig into their stockings and check out the goodies Santa had delivered for them! They all 3 entertained each other for about half hour or so, which was long enough for Daddy to make us a yummy pancake and sausage breakfast! It was SO YUMMY! We all really enjoyed it:)
After breakfast we sat down to open gifts, and more gifts and more gifts. We were truly blessed with many many things that we wanted and needed this year. The kids had so many toys their little heads were spinning. But a midst all the crazy present opening and toy playing we were sure to remind each of them several times why we truly celebrate Christmas. And that if it weren't for the birth of sweet baby Jesus, there would be no Christmas. I am so grateful for those small but poignant teaching moments that we get as parents and the tenderness that lasts.
We have made it a tradition with our little family to stay home on Christmas. We have done it for the past several years and we LOVE it! We are blessed to have our family live relatively close so that we are able to visit with them on the days leading up to Christmas and the days after. We stayed home, ate pancakes for breakfast, spinach lasagna from Mimmi for lunch and Quiche Lorraine for dinner, played, napped, listened to music and played some more! It was a great day!!!
Haley and Ethan just moments after waking up on Christmas morning!
Another tradition that we started this year was that of the Christmas Pickle. My sister Jessie L. and and Family gave us this Christmas pickle this year and how it works is that someone hides it somewhere in the Christmas Tree and whoever finds it gets to open THE FIRST gift! The girls were neck and neck, but this year Haley came out victorious!!
Blanket for her Babies from Mema!
Citiblocs from Santa!
Another Baby Blanket from Mema!
Teaching Ethan how to Open Gifts, since this IS his FIRST Christmas!
Still a little confused by it all!
I sure LOVE My Boy!
Daddy Got a Compressor from Me!
Pink Jammies from Mimmi and Dooders!!!
Recorders from Great Aunt Sweetie and Great Uncle Mike!
Ponies from Mimmi and Dooders!
A Circular Saw for Micah!
A Handmade Blanket from Mema and Great Aunt Gail!
A new piano that was also from Mema and Great Aunt Gail!
After presents were opened, and much playing had been done, the girls were looking for something to do......and Emily decided it was time to paint rocks.....Thanks Great Aunt Tede! (I LOVE how Emily's new horse is looking at the action too!)
My New Shelf from My Amazingly Talented Husband!!!
AND on Christmas Night we attempted our FIRST EVER Gingerbread House as a Family! (It came from a box, but next year I think I will just use the gingerbread, icing and stand and then buy our own candy!)
The Finished Product, all decorated and ready for Eating.....but since it was already 8PM we waited until the Day after Christmas!!!
Isn't it cute?
The Side View!
One last Tradition that Micah and I started a few years back was to wait until Christmas Night to open our stockings together before bed! It is one of my FAVORITE traditions!! We get to enjoy the moment, the stockings, and our goodies!! A Great Way to End a Wonderfully Memorable Day!!
And to all a Good Night!
No comments:
Post a Comment