Merry Christmas

This Christmas season was a busy one but one that brought so much joy. We endeavored to focus on our Savior's birth as the reason for the season through an awesome e-book called Truth in the Tinsel (thanks DeeDee). We played lots of Christmas music and the kids became more familiar with Christmas songs they didn't know. Oliver's favorite is "Do You Hear What I Hear" and he would play it on repeat very loudly in the afternoons! We saw an awesome Christmas lights display in Frisco. We wrote letters to, and made cookies for Santa. We loved finding the hiding elf each morning. And we got to have SO much time with our family and especially enjoyed seeing the Schroeders and Dan and Stephanie who all came in town over the holidays.

We got a live Christmas tree which made our house smell like a house at Christmastime should. The kids loved going and picking it out and were so excited to decorate it! Melia enjoyed taking the ornaments on and off the tree so we put ones that were kid-friendly down low so she could enjoy the tree to her hearts content.


Christmas Eve

We had a great day at home on Christmas Eve... baking cookies, playing games, and repeating many times "1 more day until Christmas!" The kids had counted down the days with an advent calendar and were so excited that the day we had been waiting for was almost here! We got to spend some fun time with Uncle Dan and Aunt Stephanie playing tackle basketball in Oliver's room (yes, basketball), taking a walk in the crisp air to a sandwich shop for lunch, and introducing Dan and Steph to a new game (Matt's idea of heaven).

That evening, we headed over to Matt's aunt & uncle's house for our traditional BBQ dinner! The kids were excited that they got to open one present. It was a great time and really made it feel like Christmas was upon us!

Silly kids...

Papa trying to convince Melia that he was stealing her "baba" (pacifier)

Melia showing us her "button" - which she will also push for you since it is an out-y!

I gave the kids the option of all sleeping in the same room that night like I used to do with my sisters on Christmas Eve. They were very excited about it and woke up bright and early at 5:30am and (I'm told) sat together on the end of the bed and waited for the allowed 6 o'clock wake-up-mom-and-dad deadline.


Christmas Morning

Christmas with children is just magical. We were so happy to be able to celebrate with just our immediate family at home this year. It was such a special time and a great bonding experience full of many happy memories. The kids were so excited and sweet all morning and it was such a joy to be around them and focus on just our family.

Gabriella and Melia got a new kitchen!

Gabby in her new Jesse shirt

Oliver got a fun batman cave, the game Mouse Trap which he loves assembling and Lego Harry Potter for the Wii!

Melia got a barking/walking little Dachshund puppy, and a talking/moving baby doll. Two of her favorite things - dogs and babies. She loved them!

Later in the morning we headed to Granna and Papa's house for more presents and a delicious Christmas lunch. We got to spend great time with Randy and Amy and Grandmama as well. We enjoyed Matt's new Telestrations game, watched movies and had some yummy Toll house Pie!

Matt's sister and her family got in town from Colorado on Christmas night and we enjoyed many days of fun with our COUSINS! The kids adore Olivia, Calvin and Atticus and had a blast every day they were here. We are so thankful for our wonderful family!

Gabby and Olivia