Things got busy as soon as all the boys woke up the next morning!
I always love Christmas Eve services at church. Throughout the month of December there's that feeling of excitement and anticipation for opening gifts on Christmas, but on Christmas Eve the anticipation for Jesus' return one day is more palpable to me. The focus is put where it should be and I always feel a sense of peace and calmness as I Take time to wrap my mind around the fact that Jesus was willing to come to earth and live human experiences just so he could empathize with us and later save us! Even through multiple trips to the bathroom, passing out of snacks and "shhh"s down the row, it was a special night to worship with family!
Hot chocolate treat before service!
Obligatory Christmas Eve photo in between prepping dinner and waiting for Deric to wrap up at church!
Christmas morning!
(And some Christmas pj photos from a few days later...)
Aunt Foo and Uncle Drew put sticky balls in the boys' stockings so Grandad drew a target on the door for them. They had a blast-- we probably could have stopped giving gifts at that point!
There's always so much going on on Christmas mornings! Playing Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots, assembling Lego trucks, nursing babies out of the frame ;) and trying to capture memories of it all!
We got all four boys these Ninja Turtle masks because they all like to pretend. The little masks are really tricky to keep on but the weapons got plenty of play time regardless! There's always someone around to fight crime.
Jake saw Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots at the store about a month before Christmas and mentioned it quite a few times for Christmas, so that was an easy choice for him. And its a great game for everyone! The boys love deciding who's Red Rocker and who's Blue Bomber before they battle it out.
All Deric's doing... :) She is the best gift this year!
Grandad's new scarf-- and new grand baby!
Eli got this Mickey couch and it was a big hit for all the kids. There were a few scuffles over the "doodah" (as Eli calls Mickey) couch but it became a big wrestling mat for everyone most of the time.
Over the next few days, the boys got some major playtime with all these new toys and their cousins too. They built forts, played superheroes, wrestled, colored, crafted...so much to do! Its so fun to watch them interact and play together...and to sit back and talk with my family while the kids are entertained by each other. ;)
Jake worked so hard on this "tunnel" for Eli and Reid. The sign was all his idea and he cut out most of the letters by himself. It says "let's go" but backwards. I love this age!!
We followed everyone up to Courtney's for a quick visit before we came back to town to celebrate Christmas with Deric's family.
On our way back home, we stopped first to see Christmas lights timed with a local radio station. We could have watched for awhile but had a baby to get back home before the fussing started.
On to Christmas number two! Its so funny to me that Kensie's foot spa was one of the boys' favorite things to play with. She would play calm music and then scrub their feet after they had soaked them. Lego building sets, the Nugget couch, board games for kids and adults...all the best memories of time with family!
Reagan doesn't look thrilled here, but she is loving her new playmat!
Continuing traditions, giving gifts to the kids that they love and continue to enjoy, spending time with family and focusing on Jesus' love for me....this Christmas season will always be a great memory for me!
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