A little bit o' Christmas

Christmas was very good to us this year. We did all our traditional things, kept it pretty low key, and (I think) managed to really celebrate the birth of our Savior. We had our Christmas Eve breakfast, just the 5 of us. We spent Christmas Eve with wife's family, and had a yummy turkey dinner. The kids all enjoyed the food and being with Grandma and Grandpa. The boys all played a little pool and then we headed home. The kids got to open their Christmas Eve pajamas, which they loved. They all managed to fall asleep before 10pm, which was a Christmas miracle considering how over-excited big sister was! They slept in until around 7, unless you count Big brother waking mommy up at 1:30 for a snack. We opened stockings first. I love that our stockings are so big - Santa managed to put a whole blender into mine! We kept our tradition of torturing the children by making them eat breakfast before the presents, but they loved the leftover pancakes from the day before, so they didn't protest too much. I should mention that husband's dad started that tradition and that is one that husband really insists on. I admit, the torture is a little fun! Then we let them open their gifts. We don't go overboard around here anymore. One year of big sister getting sick of opening them taught us our lesson. Maybe when they're older we'll get them more, but for now they get one big present from us and one big present from Santa. They buy small gifts for each other, and always manage to get something from grandma's and grandpa's. So they get plenty as far as I'm concerned! We went and exchanged gifts with wife's family after we finished opening things at home. Then we headed home to get dinner ready for husband's family. It was nice to have everyone all together, and the kids loved playing with their cousins. The whole season was wonderful, topped off by two days of more wonderful. Here's some of our favorite pictures!

Wife's parents, carving the turkey

Everyone! Well, except wife.

The kids in their jammies - big sister's have frogs and peace signs, little sister have santa's, and little brother is a cute little reindeer. These girls love their brother! And check out those brown eyes - don't they just melt you?

Wife carefully removing the blender from her stocking. Thanks Santa! Although, I think we really could have done without the prego-morning-after-no-sleep picture...

Husband got a football in his stocking!

Big sister's big wish from Santa - an American Girl doll that looked like her. Removable glasses and all. She LOVES it and was super-thrilled to find it under the tree! She spent the day playing school with her new easel and her new doll.

Little sister got a set of toy story toys, and some Handy Manny tools. She spent the entire morning carrying that toolbox around. Grandpa was so proud!

Not too many pictures of Big brother. He kept running off. But he loved his fire truck. And he knew exactly what to do with the basketball hoop Santa got him!

Most of husband's family. The kids really did get dressed for the day, but by this point were having a Christmas pj party!