Merry, Merry Christmas

Our Christmas celebration started on Christmas Eve. We had the kids perform their very first nativity. Bekah immediately volunteered to be Mary. Kelsey wanted to be the angel. John was chosen to be the wise man (he argued that there were three...we don't have enough for three people!). And Jack was...riding the rocking horse/donkey. Joe just sat and watched. Ah well.

After that, the kids opened their gifts from Macher. They loved the coloring books, jacket, gloves, and Jack did NOT want to give up his brand new underwear! Not even to let Mommy wash it so he could wear it in the morning. It's the little things that make them excited!

After setting out all of the presents after small people were asleep, Mommy and Daddy were given their first gift from the kids: Joe slept through the night! Ahh...and the rest of the kids didn't get up until 0700. Ahhhh...peace! But the kids got up and got a neat little surprise in the kitchen and then for their stockings (which they opened before breakfast).

Thanks to Grandma Yvonne and Grand Grammy for the dishes on the table. I remember eating out of these when Grammy lived on 1 Horseshoe Lane. I can almost remember the smell of the house and waking up to the early morning fog...but enough of that...thanks for the nostalgia! The kids love the cups and plates too! Thanks for the stocking stuffers too, Grandma Yvonne!

And now...to break things down by kid:

JOHN!!! He loved his race cars, tools, and building set! Oh my goodness. The squealing we got off him from the Criss cross racetrack...joy! Here's to loads of racing and building!

Just look at that kid! Oh, and Great Grams, we loved how John's jammies matched the wrapping paper on his gifts! That was awesome! Thanks a bunch!

Now, KELSEY:

I just realized we don't have as many pictures of Kelsey and her gifts. Crazy! She must have dashed off to play with them before we got any of her. I did get her to pose with her newly decorated jewelry box. Thanks, Grams! This was an awesome idea! She loved designing and decorating stuff to make it her own. And now she's got a place to store some of her new bracelets and necklaces. Thanks so much!

Bekah:

She was the first one dressed in the morning. She couldn't wait to get into her new Christmas dress. And all of the accessories went well with her new dress too! She was so excited about her new jewelry box too! We got it all decorated for her. She did some of the work and Kelsey pitched in to help as well. Thanks for the awesome gifts!

Jack:

He tried opening everyone's gifts. Things just weren't moving fast enough for him. Enough of the one-by-one opening gifts. Let's get things done! But he loves his train and tools. He's been fixing his Tonka truck every chance he can. Thanks so much for the gifts!

Don't touch other's gifts, Jack! "Oh, man!"

And finally, Joe:

We didn't get as many of him because he decided to take a nap most of the way through opening gifts. I guess that's okay since Jack got to open some of Joe's. But it's kinda hard to get pictures of him opening gifts if he's not around. Ah well. First Christmas for Joe! And he got some awesome gifts. Thank you!

Aren't I cute?! And so warm too!

Shawn and I didn't get any pictures of ourselves (go figure!) opening presents, but we feel truly blessed. We had a wonderful Christmas and hope you all had a memorable one as well. In the days to come, we'll try to get pictures of the kids enjoying their new toys even more. Thank you all for your love and support. We love you!