WARNING: This is probably the longest post I've ever done because it has more photos than I've ever put in a post. Perhaps I should have split it up, but decided to just do it all at once. That's how I approach chocolate too.)
I'm sure the whole neighborhood heard Savannah yelling that Santa had been here! The footprints were so exciting for her. She bounded around them so much that they were almost gone by the time the boys came out to see what all the ruckus was about.
She even went all detective on us.
"This feels like... cornstarch...."
Dang she's smart!
Totally takes after her mom.
The kids were thrilled that Santa and Rodolph liked their treats.
After looking everything over, they settled into the living room for presents. It was so fun to see how excited they all were!
Even if they did *eh hem* break out into a fist fight once or twice.
Too much adrenaline I think.
Claira wasn't entirely sure what was going on, but she was excited because everyone else was excited.
The kids were checking out all the boxes, trying to see which one was for who.
Pish, why should Santa get all the credit? .
The elves, the Abominable Snowmonster, the Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, Jack Frost, Mrs. Claus, the Sugar Plum Fairies, the Grinch, etc.
They all help make Christmas too! Don't they deserve some recognition?
The kids had a really great Christmas this year. Completely spoiled!
My sister Angel and her family had our name in the family Christmas present rotation. I tried to tell her to just get a simple family gift but she wanted to get everyone individual presents.
Alayna was especially beyond happy with her gift.
Oh, bytheway Angel, hubby really liked his tie! Nice choice! Thank you again!
They also opened gifts from our cousin Callie and her family.
New art sets all around! They were awesome!
Believe me when I say, the art sets have been well used and well loved as you'll see in a bit.
She also got us a large print of our family from our photo session with her.
Thank you so much Callie! We loved it!
Next came gifts from Maria, my sweet friend in Oklahoma.We've been e-friends for years and we finally got to meet briefly just once this past year when her family was driving through while on vacation.
She's so amazing and has always been generous to our family.
All the kids received their own mini pillow pet! Seriously, I don't know how she knew that they've always wanted some, but she was spot on!
Thank you so much Maria!
We continued on through the presents.
Besides a couple other things, Savannah got the spy gear she wanted. I don't know what it is, but she's really into spies right now.
Oh ya, she's a natural.
Totally takes after her mom.
Thanks to a few amazing sales, the boys didn't do too shabby this year.
Alayna got her heart's desire for "lots of girly stuff".
Even miss Claira got some great toys.
Though I must confess, she didn't receive a single "new" item. I got all of her toys second-hand. When people are looking to clean out their stuff, it's amazing what you can find!
But it was all new to her and she loved everything!
My favorite part of the whole morning, was when the kids handed out the presents they made/found for each other.
We were going to let them pick names and help them get gifts for each other from the store like we did last year, but they had wanted to make everything so we just left it at that.
There was junk mail...
handmade cards...
decorated paper plates...
painted wood scraps...
old craft project pieces...
and decorated paper towel rolls.
It. Was. Awesome.
I loved it all so much.
Hubby insisted I open his gifts next.
This one really stumped me. I mean, is felt like a pillow, and was shaped like a pillow...
(If you're wondering about the pillow, read the beginning of this post.)
Next came the chocolate, some earrings, and spending money! YES!
The man did good this year. Real good.
Since hubby had already splurged on a few new power tools, my gifts were simple.
A couple new shirts (since he hates shopping) and for one I had to look through Every. Single. white shirt in town to find the one single, solitary shirt in his size.
He has the hardest size to find.
Obviously.
He also got a new calendar for his office, complete with cute family photos from this last year.
And all the important dates are marked... like my birthday and our anniversary.
He's totally out of excuses this year.
Mwah ha ha haaaaaaa..... Eh hem... I mean, I'm just trying to help him out, you know?
Once all the presents were done, out came the stockings!
New (used) books, socks, (the socks were new, not used!) a small trinket gift, and most importantly...
candy!!
Oh yah baby!
By this time the kids were pretty hungry, so they made their way over to the kitchen table to see what this last gift was.
YES!!!!
This may seem strange to you, but I never buy sugar cereal unless it's for a special occasion.
I was going to mention how fruit loops are the worst because it creeps me out that it always turns the kids poop green.
But then I figured you wouldn't want to know that.
Wait.....
The rest of the day was spent trying out all the new toys.
One of my favorite pictures. Daddy painting Alayna's nails.
Alayna spent a lot of time trying out the new art sets.
First on Claira...
then on herself.
It might just be me, but I think the art sets work quite well! You?
By the end of the day, my house looked like this.
Good times, good times.
Even though I had planned on making a nice big Christmas dinner, complete with a juicy turkey, come dinner time, no one was hungry!
I'm not ashamed to admit we just snacked on turkey and olives.
I'm pretty flexible like that.
Merry Christmas everyone!
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7 super cool people speak:
I think my FAVORITE...is LUKE...painting Alayna's finger nails...WHAT A TERRIFIC DADDY!
Oh...I loved going through each picture...it was almost as good as being there..."almost"...(smile)
Haha! I know! When I told him he should paint her nails, at fist he was horrified and protested. But I told him that a girl needs her daddy to paint her nails, that she'll love it and always remember it. :) So he did! He is a good dad.
Oh man! What a fun day. I like the picture of your husband and son out testing the remote control cars are you little girl literally hanging on his legs. Love it!!
This is great. Kinda reminded me of the way Christmas used to be at our house.
In fact, it still is...and my kids are old!!!
;)
First of all thank you for the books! I am so excited!
Santa brought us special Lucky Charms we rarely get for the exact same reason. I hate wiping green poop bottoms!
Wow, I'm amazed by how grown up Savannah looks. She's not a little kid anymore! Has she read "Harriet the Spy"? I remember enjoying that book when I was young.
Your white Christmas also looks beautiful.
You are wearing makeup in the Christmas morning pictures.
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