Christmas 2013

 After Santa Claus had finished his work, the scene was so serene! I had to sit and ponder the season and bask in my anticipation for the morning. I also felt as though if I sat there and didn't move, time might stand still just for moment. It was beautiful. The tree felt so warm and the gifts under the tree spoke love.

Christmas morning was just about perfect! Lydia woke up actually knowing that it was Christmas! She jumped up on our bed and was shouting with excitement for us to wake up. It was a joy to feel her happiness. We got the music playing and they came down the stairs. Both of them were thrilled with their gifts from Santa. Miles immediately became acquainted with his new horses and loved his castle. Lydia was jumping from one thing to the next and looking at everything and saying how great Santa Claus is. She didn't even know that there was something inside of the case for the longest time. We finally told her and her face when she opened it up was beautiful! She was ecstatic! Their favorite stocking stuffers were the little bounce wands that light up when you bang them against something. Lydia's is a pink jewel and Miles's is a blue spiky ball.

We had a beautiful Panetonne and hot chocolate breakfast with sausage. Then we went back and opened the rest of the presents under the tree. The Masners had us for Christmas this year and they sent Lydia a stamp kit, Miles a dinosaur puzzle, Chris some new dress clothes, and me a cute tote, skirt and scarf, and Faith a mini pillow pet that lights up stars on the ceiling. We got Chuck E. Cheese gift cards from Grandma and Grandpa Stoker. Nicolette and Ryan had us for Christmas and they got Miles the Fishing Game, Faith a little Elephant ornament, Lydia got to go on a date with Aunt Nic and paint a little owl ornament at Art from the Heart, I got a hat, and Chris got some work out gloves!  They were all perfect gifts! So fun!

We had Becky and Matthew and so we gave them a gift card to restaurant.com because we know they like to try different small places. And we got them movie tickets. We have David and Kayla also, but we still haven't actually decided on something to get for them! :( I hate not knowing what to give. I think we'll get them a gift card...boring.

 Miles new castle was carefully set up awaiting his playful imagination! Custom painted by Santa's Elves, I think it looks awesome!

 Miles has recently become fascinated with "neigh neighs" (horses). He's been playing with Lydia's "My Little Ponies". So Santa saw it fitting to get him some more masculine horses.

 Lydia has really started being creative with coloring and drawing and asked for an art set like Aunt Rachel's. She loves things Hello Kitty, I don't think it's necessarily because she loves Hello Kitty, I think it's just because things with Hello Kitty on them are always really flowery and pink and she likes that. She got a coloring book and this little portable carrier that has pencils, pens and markers and stickers and a little notebook in it.

 Look at these little Cuties on Christmas morning in their Christmas Jammies!! They're excited to come downstairs. Lydia came running into our bedroom this year! She jumped up on our bed screaming, "It's Christmas! It's Christmas! Wake up! Wake up!" It was really fun to wake up that way, surprisingly.

 Check out these erasers Mom! (came in her Hello Kitty pouch)

And there is her art set like Aunt Rachel's. 

 Miles was so happy with his new toys! 

 We wanted to start getting the kids a new ornament every year. Lydia is showing hers to Faith. 

Miles played with his horses all morning long! 

Faith got a new little toy to chew on. She was perfectly content watching everyone on Christmas morning. 

Our Beautiful Christmas morning breakfast table. 

Panetone. A Christmas tradition. 

Merry Christmas!

Miles got an Aquadoodle from Mom and Dad (Chris and I) 

Lydia got a Doc McStuffins Doctor kit from Mom and Dad (Chris and I) 

She was super excited! She actually found this gift and we had to cover it up and tell her that we were saving it for someone else, so when she opened it and saw that she got one too, she was very happy!! 

Batman from Aunt Marcella

Lydia got a Princess one (she actually wears it like a doctor's head lamp/band, or a Power Ranger belt! :) because our kids have extremely small heads)

Cute scarves from Shaylie and Mandi Port (Made by Mandi) 

 After lunch we went to Grandma and Grandpa's house for dinner and games. The kids brought some of their gifts to show Grandma and Grandpa. It was really nice to be close. We ended up spending the night and just coming home the next morning, got ready and packed up again and headed back to their house for more holiday family time! It was so nice! It was like we were on vacation, but home at the same time! I think we all really enjoyed it. We did this for several nights!

Miles wanted to take all of his horses AND his castle to bed with him that night! 

He certainly is happy with his Christmas. He was trying so hard to carry ALL of them and the castle all by himself, but he kept dropping them, it was so cute! 

The picture of us all at dinner is on Grandpa's camera. We had fun skyping with Aunt Rachel too! We got to see her and talk with her for quite some time and it was so fun for her to see Faith and Miles and Lydia! They were all so excited to hear and talk to her as well. Grandma and Grandpa also had the missionaries over for dinner on Christmas and had computers set up so that they could skype with their families from the house. It was just like old times with a puzzle set up by the fire place and the old Christmas tree in the living room. The same little "Merry Christmas" sign with three bells hanging from it adorned the wall and the Nativity was set up on the piano. The loved teddy bear Christmas Advent also hung on the wall, relying now on grandchildren to keep it moving! It was absolutely refreshing to be 'home' for the holidays!