christmas

We were sad to see the Christmas season leave us.

It was such a great time around here.

We finished our shopping early (mostly), so that we could focus on all the other amazing STUFF that goes into the season.

There was definitely lots of fun stuff.

I think Christmas Eve has become my favorite - even more than the actual day.

I love the tradition, anticipation, fun, and love.

We started ours with a delicious brunch with neighbors.

The girls danced for us.

And Austin, of course, is never too shy to shake it.

So he followed with his own performance.

And then they goofed around...

In the early evening, we started our festivities.

It was wonderful.

With our children getting so grown up, it is becoming so much easier to focus on what Christmas is really about.

Chris said it was his favorite Christmas Eve ever.

Love it.

When the kids were finally decked out in some new pjs, it was time for bed.

It was definitely a record for shortest sleep on Christmas Eve this year.

It began with a bloody nose at 3 something in the morning.

They actually stayed in bed for a pretty long time after that, but not with any sleeping going on.

Then, after a few hours, they were all in the bathroom.

(not sure why?)

And all three heard a distinct "ho, ho, ho!" from the other side of the door.

They said it was loud and clear and was just next to the door.

They dashed straight into our room, where they woke up dad, accusing him of saying it.

I told them that dad had not moved a muscle.

Or a vocal cord.

They made me promise in a million ways before they would believe me.

They all had the "heebie jeebies", as Austin said.

That was it.

Christmas morning had begun.

Santa doesn't wrap any of the gifts he leaves at our house...I guess since he never did that when Chris and I were little, either.

But that means that we are always so excited trying to watch everyone at once as they look at their things for the first time.

How fun.

Luckily, they take a while to take it all in.

Like Austin, for instance.

He was so excited about the little Lego sets he got!

He looked them over and over and over.

They he emptied out his stocking, exclaiming excitedly about each thing.

Then he went around the room looking through each person's gifts with them.

He was so happy.

And saying it was the best Christmas.

Then, after quite a while longer still, he suddenly realized that there was a cool new scooter sitting on the floor right in front of his stocking.

He had been walking around it the whole time.

It was his main gift and he hadn't even realized.

We got a good laugh when he suddenly said, "Hey, COOOOOOOL!!!!"

We had a nice relaxing morning and yummy breakfast.

Then it was off to church.

It made me wish Christmas was always on Sunday.

What better way to spend part of our day.

Even my kids (who were very skeptical of having Christmas on Sunday) loved it, too.

The rest of our day was spent driving to Council and visiting all the Stoker family.

We had a delicious Christmas dinner and opened presents with them.

Christmas is such a blessing to our family.

It is definitely a hustle and bustle time, but it always fills us with more joy ,gratitude and giving.

Good stuff.