Christmas Day

Christmas was a little different this year since we had church at 9AM!  My kids really are not early birds, so we held off opening presents until AFTER Sacrament Meeting. I thought it was actually kind of nice. Christ is the whole reason we celebrate Christmas and so it seemed kind of appropriate to go do that first, then come home for Santa.  (Not saying I would want to do that every year!)  Anyway, that is why the kids are not in their usual Christmas attire-PJs!  

 

James got a remote control car from Santa.

Sophie got a little Radio Flyer that is just her size, all the kids love riding it.  It has been a hit!

Joshua got a cell phone and I think these pictures pretty much say how he felt about that!

 Luke and Michael both got this castle-thing they had been wanting.  PS That shopping cart in the background-piece of junk!  Took it back to the store.

Luke and Anne got Coaster Cars and I can't recommend them enough.  EVERYONE loves riding them and they have been non-stop fun.  Hands down, best present.   Here Dad is trying one out with Sophie.

Dad got a new Speedo!  Does it fit? 

My favorite gifts are ones that the kids made.  Michael made us a calendar at school.  I loved the wrapping job!

Sweet letter from Luke: "I hope you have a very happy New Year and a very, very, very good good Christmas.  I hope you get very good presents."  

A bird house Michael made us at Scouts.

Another picture from Luke.

Annie and Luke both got this kitchen set.  I still remember the kitchen set that I had growing up. It was also red and white and I loved this one!  I think I was just as excited as them about it. 

I love the boys faces when they exchange their gifts.  Joshua had REALLY been wanting this nice little deodorant set from Luke.  You know, as Luke says, "He needs it to get all the ladies."

Joshua had Luke and got him this Bubble Gum Machine-I think he likes it!

Michael saw this Tiger's Head in a store a few weeks before Christmas and it was love at first sight.  He was pleading to Santa to bring it to him!  Ryan told me, "I always wondered who buys those sort of things when I see them in stores, now I know....my son."  :)  Michael has already brought it to school for show-and-tell.  It is pretty sweet, don't ya think?

After opening all the gifts we had a late breakfast of German Pancakes and fruit. 

Later on Christmas evening we all went to Grandma and Grandpa's for a delicious Turkey Dinner.  I was trying to get a shot of Sophie with her twin cousins Max and Will (7 months) kicking it in their onsies.  They were not being too cooperative.  Could you imagine having all three of these cuties as triplets?

Sadie and Emmaline did a little dance perfomance for us.  I love this picture of Sadie! 

Here is Emmaline, dancing with attitude!  (Love those back-up dancers too!)

Annie and James got in on the action.

I think this picture of Melissa with Max is so cute.  You should see the twins bundled up in these outfits together! 

"Oh, what a feeling...when you're dancin' on the ceiling..." (Okay, you have be a child of the 80's to appreciate a little Lionel Richie.)  Anyway, all the kids kept asking Ryan to put them upside down on Grandma's ceiling.

And that was it...Christmas has come and gone until next year.  Anne doesn't quite understand.  She keeps asking when it is going to be Christmas again.  She figured out that Christmas is LOTS of fun.  I know Anne, we all agree...why can't it be Christmas everyday!?  (Because Mom and Dad would be passed out tired, we would all be over-weight and Santa would go broke!)  Instead, we will just try to keep Christ in our thoughts a little more throughout the entire year.  I left one of my Nativities up this year in the Living Room to help us remember.  I love having it out so much, I thought...why not!?  I wish I could get away with having a Christmas Tree up all year, but that would be a little crazy.  So, for now, we are going with the year-round Nativity set.  Merry Christmas!