Christmas

It is tradition that Santa leaves the filled stockings at the foot of each bed. When everyone wakes, it is the stocking that becomes the first gift of Christmas morning. It is also a silent plea to stay in your bed a little longer. A grew up with this tradition and with 8 kids in his family, it was a brilliant idea. He and his siblings spent a little extra time munching on tangerines and candy, fingering pudding, trying on new socks, or thumbing through baseball cards. Right now, the boys can't reach their stockings from within their cribs and E goes through hers at record speed before bringing it to us. We collect the boys and form a huge mass on our bed to just be together to talk, tickle and laugh before we start the Christmas craziness.

The kids wait at the top of the stairs until it's time to go down.

We scream and go crazy over the gifts Santa brought us and then the kids play while A and I make breakfast. After breakfast, we open the gifts under the tree.

 W had several fun gifts, but his favorites would have to be the toothpaste from his stocking (you can see him holding it on the stairs, which he held just about the entire morning) and his vacuum.

O loved his matchbox cars and fire station. But he loved ALL of his trucks, trains, and cars.

E loved everything! Her face just lite up with each gift.  If you ask her what her favorite is she will seriously name everything. If I had to choose, it would be her ballet shoes or her Handy Manny dress up clothes and tools. There have been plenty of times that we see a ballerina or a fairy building elaborate homes for her Little Bear. 

With A and I, we had a funny gift exchange. We both secretly ordered canvas prints from the same company. A ordered a family print and I ordered one of the kids. I expected my package in the mail, but when two showed up, one being in his name, I had to laugh. What are the chances?

One of the best things about this Christmas was a WHITE Christmas. It was the first time in several decades. It snowed all day and throughout the night. So fun.

We traveled to Grandma and Pa's house Christmas afternoon and it was so exciting to see the snow blanketing the trees with the twinkle of Christmas lights.

Here's the mountain close to Grandma and Pa's house. 

You see it, right?

We finally made it! Time to relax, eat, play games, eat, play in the snow, eat, and...eat.