Christmas Day

The kids weren’t supposed to wake us up until after 7:30am on Christmas morning.  Usually they’ve had to wait for everyone to wake up on their own accord before heading downstairs – this year we told them if Drew wasn’t awake by 8am we would wake him up.  Still torturous I know, but sleep is very much protected and encouraged around here.  Both Jason and Drew slept til minutes before 8am.   The girls were surprisingly very patient, but they didn’t waste anytime and quickly gathered everyone on the steps.  

Once they filed downstairs they delved into their stockings.

Santa usually doesn’t bring very big gifts – the traditional orange, tooth cleaning products, new underwear and/or socks, lifesavers, etc…. This year both Jason and Katie asked for Legos and boy, did Santa deliver!

Drew also got a pretty fantastic gift from Santa!

Justin couldn’t quite figure out what Santa had left him in his stocking.  Poo-pourri!  Funny, I had one wrapped under the tree for him as well.

Drew was so fun to watch open gifts.  He’d tear off a piece wrapping paper, we’d cheer, then he’d look at us as if asking, “really, this is ok? You want me to do it again?!?”  Then he’d tear off another piece and again look at us for confirmation that he wasn’t going to get in trouble.  So cute!

Later that morning he laid right down in a pile of wrapping paper and kicked and flailed his arms and legs.  My kid is awesome!

New Pants!

The kids were all very excited for their secret siblings to open the gifts they had chosen for them.  The girls in particular were very thoughtful with their gift giving.  Abigail even used some of her own money to buy gifts for some of her other siblings.

Going into Christmas I felt we’d kept things pretty simple and didn’t get the kids much.  So I was surprised when it took us over an hour to get everything open.  It helps that my Mom had several gifts wrapped for the kids as well.  The kids were thrilled with everything they received and even our pre-teen daughters thought they’d hit the jackpot.  I hope they will always be so easy to please.  

A T-Mobile light up bracelet – exciting, no?

How many 10 year olds would be so excited about getting their requested crayons?

Carly LOVES her new jacket from Grandma & Val

New pillowcases made by Grandma Kesler

More Legos from Grandma & Val – this kid was in Lego heaven!

The girls put together some really thoughtful gifts for Justin and me.  Abigail made Justin a coupon book full of various ways she would help and serve.

Carly created an I “heart” U puzzle out of melty beads with a cleaver banner.  She spent many, many hours creating (and recreating after Drew destroyed it) this top secret gift in the days leading up to Christmas.

There were several gifts under the tree that Justin had “acquired” – the cow that danced and played Christmas music was a HUGE hit with Drew.

After all the gift exchanging was complete we had delicious “waffle love” waffles for breakfast at Justin’s request.

That evening we headed down to Grandma and Grandpa Fletcher’s for more Christmas fun.  Grandma started the evening by giving each of the grandkids a new Disney pillow pet.

Unfortunately {and fortunately}, I put my camera away after that and just enjoyed the evening.   It seems that after every Christmas I wish I would have taken a picture of the kids with all their Christmas goodies – once again I didn’t remember.  It’s safe to say everyone was thrilled with their gifts and felt the joy by giving as well.  Another wonderful Christmas!