Christmas Day

We had a wonderful Christmas this year! Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were perfect.  After the difficult year we had, this happy time was much needed!

Grant and I actually woke up before the kids.  It was already 9:30 and they were still fast asleep, so we had to wake them up.  This time they had no complaints.  Dylan and Lexie walked into the living room and their eyes lit up when they saw the big Santa gifts under the tree.  Lily walked out, sucking her thumb, and stared in confusion at what was happening!



Once she got over being stunned, she spotted the half-eaten cookie remnants from Santa, and helped herself.



The big kids were so sweet.  Although they were very excited about the bicycle, the dollhouse, the easel, and all the presents under the tree, they were more excited to give out the gifts they had bought for their family.  Dylan and Lexie immediately handed out the gifts they had bought in the school store for each other, Lily, Grant, and I. They were practically jumping up and down as we opened them, and kept hugging each other and thanking each other for the great gifts. Then, Dylan gave us a candy jar he had made for us at school.  I love how the cheap gifts they pick out or make are the ones that mean the most to me!  I'm so glad they understand that giving is more important than receiving, and find happiness in that!

Finally, Lily handed out her gifts to her siblings.



Then...it was time to dig in!




Dylan and Lexie took breaks to help their baby sister open her gifts.  They truly adore each other.



It took a while to make it through all the presents.  The kids take turns opening their gifts, one at a time.  They are great at waiting their turn and admiring each gift before moving on.






The one exception? Lily kept trying to climb into the dollhouse and got mad every time we pulled her out!


 

We tried our best to keep her occupied opening gifts!

 









Dylan and Lexie were thrilled to get the toys they had asked Santa for!




After all the presents were opened, the kids dug into their stockings.  They always forget about them, but they are always so excited to dump them out and pick through their goodies.  Lily quickly sat herself in the center of ALL the goodies.



We let the kids play with some of their new toys, while Grant and I exchanged gifts.  I bought him a tablet and a jersey, which I gave him a few weeks ago, so I had a few small things for him.  In addition to clothes, he bought me perfume, beautiful earrings, and an external flash for my camera!

We were all pleased with our presents this year!





After our gifts were opened, we immediately piled into the car to go to Grant's mom's house.  We do that every Christmas morning, but it was especially important this year, since Grant's dad isn't with us anymore.  It was nice to be together this year.




Grant's brother was already there when we arrived, so we were able to exchange gifts right away.

 




After all the presents were opened, I made a breakfast of scrambled eggs and cinnamon rolls. We all sat down to eat, then watched the kids play.




Lily, my adorable little actress-in-training, kept trying to steal my coffee.  When Grant would tell her no, she would give him her very best glare.



This is also her response if you ask her if she's cute.



We had a great time exchanging gifts, eating, and visiting with each other!



Shortly after returning home, my parents came over so we could exchange gifts.  We usually have brunch with them, but I felt bad making them come to my house early, go home, and then return to my sister's house nearby.  This year, they stopped by on their way to my sister's house. 








Grant and I were so excited to finally get a Keurig!  We love it!   We immediately tried it out.  After  a cup of coffee, my parents headed over to my sister's house, and I got the girls dressed so we could join them.



As soon as we got there, the kids ran off to play with cousin Aubrey, while we got ready for dinner.

Dinner was delicious!  But...there was a bit of a bizarre incident.

Lily was sitting on my lap eating.  She, of course, wanted everything from my plate, even though she had the same food on hers.  I was turning to give her a forkful of sweet potato just as she whipped her head toward me, and the fork poked her in the eye.

She immediately squeezed her eyes shut.  I tried to check her eye out, but she kept them squeezed shut and turned her head away.  I handed her to my brother-in-law so I could check out her eye, and she leaned her head on his chest, went limp, and started snoring.  Seriously.  In the span of 45 seconds I stabbed her eye and she fell asleep.  It was so strange and scary.  I thought I knocked her out, but upon examination, her eye was perfectly fine.  She ended up sleeping for over an hour, first in my brother-in-law's arms, then mine, then Grant's arms!




She woke up perfectly happy, with just a tiny red spot on her eye, and began playing.  I think sleep is her defense mechanism!  She did the same thing once before, when she hurt her mouth.  It's so strange!

My mom, sister, and I had a great time sitting at the kitchen table chatting, while Dylan played xbox with my nephew, and Lexie played with Aubrey.

The kids love hanging out with their cousins, even though my nephew is only 5 years younger than me!  He's so much fun, and the kids love to hang out with him!  He was the one who was almost killed in a car accident as a teenager, and I am always so thankful when I get to spend holidays with him.  After going through that nightmare, I always count my blessings and thank God that he's still here with us!




Finally, it was time to head to Nannie's house for the last stop of the evening.  We always spend the remainder of the evening with Grant's family.  His cousin and his family are always there, and we only get to see them a few times a year.  Plus, the kids love to spend time with their Great Uncle Scott when he's in town!



We didn't get a chance to go to Grant's other Grandma's house, so she sent over the gifts for the kids.





We didn't stay too long.  Lily was getting tired, and we all wanted to go home, put on jammies, and relax!



The kids wasted no time forming a band when we walked in the door.  Dylan opened his electric guitar and amp, Lexie grabbed a microphone, and Lily was thrilled to join them with her new microphone.  It was great entertainment to end the day!



This Christmas was perfect!  I  loved capturing all these sweet memories (and more!).  Dylan and Lexie declared it the best Christmas ever.  I'm going to have to agree with them!

It was a very merry Christmas!