Christmas Eve Steve got off early and we got ready for that evening. We had an appetizer dinner, helped to make cookies for Santa, and then had a sweet program Stephen had prepared to tell the Nativity story to our children. Unfortunately, our children were not in the greatest of states to sit reverently and participate in the story of Christ's birth. With multiple meltdowns and a few time outs - we made it through. That's how it goes with little ones though right? We still did it, and I still loved how much Stephen had done to make our devotional meaningful. Christmas Eve is his favorite part of the season. I love how much he loves it. :) After bathing our kids and throwing them in their Christmas jammies and into their beds, we settled in and got ready for Christmas. :)
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| Discussing the sign that Jesus was born |
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| Paying somewhat attention... |
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| We at least had one child with us during the Christmas story. |
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| This is Ross putting on his shepherd costume by himself...he didn't want any help. |
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| Ruby wanted to put her own on as well. |
Steve and I were more excited to give our kids Christmas than any of the last few years. Ross was SO excited. We had a Santa countdown block that we would move every day getting Santa closer and closer to the chimney - Ross kept trying to skip days hoping Santa would get here faster. We did our advent calendars and Christmas chains diligently, and the day finally came - though Ross of course forgot when he woke up - but was immediately with it and excited once it dawned on him when he got downstairs. This video may be my favorite thus far of Christmas. :)
Luckily, we all slept till about 8 and started Christmas by about 8:30 that morning. The kids were thrilled with their presents (we'll have to work on Ross being more thrilled about his bike) and loved everything they got. It was quite the Christmas (I did go crazy on Black Friday deals this year). We skyped with both of our families and opened each other's presents then and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
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| This man works hard, plays hard, and knows how to rock Christmas Jammies all at the same time. :) |
Ross and Ruby got a play kitchen with play food, bikes, some games, clothes, blocks, and books. Ross had wished for a helicopter, a police car, or a firetruck from Santa and got the helicopter. Ruby got the play food she wished for too. :)
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| Crazy haired Ruby on Christmas! |
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| So excited! |
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| Ruby was EXTREMELY excited about her bike. :) |
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| Have I mentioned it's extremely dry here in Colorado? Steve's umpteenth bloody nose - Merry Christmas. |
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| There are a few things I find hilarious in this picture. :) See if you can tell. :) |
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| Apparently the scanner for a register is also a phone. :) |
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| I could NOT get Ruby to look at me for the life of me! |
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| Ruby polished off the cookie and a half that Santa left behind. She's helpful that way. :) |
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| Ross helping me open my present. :) |
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| Ruby wanting shoes on of course - though the cushy slippers threw her through a loop - she'll warm up to them eventually. :) |
Stephen, in his old age, had wished for a paper shredder - and looked like he was 5 again realizing Santa had made his wish come true when he opened it. :) He also got a board game, some movies, tums (like I said - old man), his pellet gun to take out the birds in the back, and a family calendar for desk at work.
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| This happy, HAPPY man holding his paper shredder. :) |
Ross chose a Lightning McQueen to give to Daddy (no hidden agenda there huh?) On the way home from the store and the rest of the day, Ross and I talked about how we CAN'T tell Daddy because it's a surprise for Christmas. It seemed to sink in. Stephen told me later of a conversation he had with Ross.
Ross saw a box that he wanted to wrap Steve's present in which prompted him to say, "Daddy that's the box for your present! It's for Lightning McQueen - you can't know about it, because it's a surprise - so don't look okay?" Steve agreed, and Ross, feeling like he in no way let the cat out of the bag, went back to playing with his toys. This happened a few other times. :)
On Christmas morning, the sweetest part of Ross realizing it was Christmas was that the first thing he wanted to do was have Daddy open his present (which he had strategically hid in the closet). It was fun watching him open it as well. :)
Stephen got me a fabulous magnet board that I've always wanted, a sweet SLR camera cleaning kit, a high tech thermometer I've been eyeing forever (I hate our cheapy one that takes a full minute to work), and a beautiful scarf.
We got some great clothes, shoes, games, jewelry (for me), and fun stuff from my parents. Ross was excited to play with the train yard from my parents too - and Ruby loved the play food they sent as well.
Then we played with some toys and got ready for the missionaries to come over for dinner and to call their families. We had both the Elders and Sisters come so we were quite the party. We made a turkey dinner - LOVE left over turkey - and played games while the missionaries took turns skyping with their families. It was fun hosting them and we were glad to spend the day with a full house.
That night after getting our kids in bed, Steve and I went to watch one of the movies we got and promptly fell asleep before even the opening credits started. :) A very Merry Christmas indeed. :)
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| Merry Christmas! |
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