Christmas

When Mark and I decided a couple of years ago to not travel to our parents' houses for Christmas, I must admit I was nervous and sad.  All the magic and activities and everything would be on my shoulders and all I ever want is for my kids to be happy.  Last year was rough because it was the first year we stayed home and we all got the flu.  This year I was determined to not get sick and to have an amazing time with my little family of four.  It was truly a wonderful Christmas.

We spent Christmas eve at my sister's house where her husband made amazing lasagna.  We let the kids open their grandma and grandpa pj's and then they played while we visited.  We left earlier than we usually do so that we could finish our routine and do our Christmas Eve stuff.  Having family nearby is definitely nice, especially during holidays. 

We set up cookies and milk and carrots for Santa and wrote him a note.  The boys love their new pjs and wanted to pose like the characters they were wearing.

After the boys went to bed (we let them sleep in the same room), Mark and I finished up all the prep including wrapping the entry to the front room and setting out stockings and the rest of the presents.  While we do that we watch "It's a Wonderful Life" and every year I get teary eyed. I just love the message and the tender moments of love.  We went to bed at a reasonable hour, actually, and I couldn't wait for the boys to wake up.  They came in our room in the morning and said "Mom...he came!  Santa came!  We saw the wrapped door!"  Talk about feeling magical.  It was a sweet moment.  We took a picture at the top of the stairs and headed down.  We ate some orange rolls and hot cocoa first and enjoyed looking outside at the foot of snow we got overnight.  It was the most amazing sight to see!  Then we let them tear into the room.

 They loved exploring their stockings and got excited about the underwear and socks even!  We love giving them a new Disney stuffed animal each year.  This year Fullback got Bolt and Shortstop got the Chesire cat.  They had so much fun watching each other open gifts and helping get more from under the tree.  A couple of weeks before Christmas Shortstop said "Can I get gifts for Lukie and you and dad?"  I love that he was so excited to do that so we obliged and took the boys shopping.  They loved picking things out and were so excited to watch people open what they chose.  I am so happy they love to give as much as receive. The rest of the day was spent enjoying our spoils, eating brunch, watching movies and napping.  The marble run and legos were a huge hit along with the boogie boards (drawing boards), and anything that had wheels to drive around.

In the afternoon Mark decided to tackle the snow in the driveway.  And boy does he make shoveling snow look good!  Batman fleece pjs pants, Shortstop's white sunglasses and what he lovingly calls his Barney coat.  Love that man of mine!

I hope you all had a phenomenal Christmas as well.  What a beautiful time of year to contemplate the birth of our Savior, to be with family and to feel the Spirit of love stronger than at other times of the year.  I am so blessed and so happy that my growing family loves this time of year as well and knows why it is so special.