Christmas Day

Christmas morning was as fun and exciting as we'd hoped it would be.  The kids were thrilled to see that Santa had come and left the things they'd asked for, and some things they didn't think to ask for. ;) Matt got Minecraft toys, Bryan got a huge soccer goal, Ari got a playhouse and Owen a new table!

Isn't Ari's house the cutest?!

The Pringles in Bryan's stocking were quite the hit.

As were Owen's fruit snacks and "chick chicks" (baby food pouches)!

This was the first year Grandma and Grandpa got to be with us Christmas morning, so it was pretty special to have them here with us!

Bryan was super excited to get the Adidas shoes he'd wanted for so long.

 And Matt LOVED all the Nike gear he lucked out with...

Especially the basketball shoes!
Owen enjoyed unwrapping just about anything.

Grandpa was kind enough to lend him his pocketknife so he could get his new toys out of the packaging!

Ari's favorite toy was probably her new Elsa doll!

 And Owen's favorite was probably his vacuum from Grandma!

As if the boys hadn't gotten enough, David got them both their own tablet!  Those smiles say it all!

David got himself a few goodies of his own, and treated me to a jewelry box, some cozy Uggs, and a couple beautiful new purses (courtesy of the awesome State Farm catalog)!

And here's Mom and Dad with the gift I gave them - a family tree with birds representing each member of our family. :)

Javi, Annalece and Celine stopped by to join in our festivities for a little bit before heading down to Annalece's parents' house.  Celine always has a way of livening things up! :)

At some point we had a yummy breakfast and then the boys spent most of the rest of the day like this...  Decked out in their new clothes and playing their tablets.

Grandma Willes joined us while we watched "A Christmas Carol" and then the rest of the family came back for dinner and games!

I love this cute picture!!

Nothing like a good game of Hand and Foot to make a holiday special. :)  Merry Christmas!

Just before Christmas...

I love this picture.  It captured one of my favorite warm, cozy, relaxing nights of this past Christmas season, and there sure weren't many of them!  With all the parties and running around we did, it was so nice to slow down and just enjoy a good Christmas movie with the kids.  I think it was Arthur Christmas?  It didn't even matter.  I enjoyed sitting and snuggling, something I don't do often enough as I'm constantly trying to get things done!

Another thing I don't do often enough is play outside in the snow!  I'm more than happy to send the kids out, but seldom do I go with them.  So Christmas Eve day I decided I'd better join them.  The boys worked hard to create a snow fort and I helped Ari with a snowman (that I forgot to take a picture of).  It was hilarious watching Owen toddle about in his snowsuit, and every time he fell over I had to rescue him because he was completely unable to get up on his own. :)

We had everyone over at our house for Christmas Eve, and Ari insisted on wearing her Dance costume since it was festive red!

Jake supplied the turkey and did a great job carving it.  Yum!

Somehow we pulled off a nativity play, complete with our Tinkerbell angel, sheep, Mary, Joseph and a wise man.  They all took their roles very seriously, as you can tell!

We let the kids open their Christmas Eve pajamas, and the boys did one silly pose after another.  Such goofballs!

 Ari's pose was anything but goofy. :)  Forever the princess!!

 Heather had written a poem all about Grandma so Grandma joined us after her dinner with Aunt Chris to hear Heather read it to her.  It was so sweet!

 And of course we had to take numerous family pics.

Dad had fallen skiing earlier that day and hurt his shoulder, hence the sling...

Just before the kids went to bed we read a couple Christmas stories.

Dad and Bryan read "The Night Before Christmas" in unison. :)

When the kids finally went to bed the stockings were hung and the tree was lit and ready for Santa!  I love the special excitement of Christmas Eve!