Christmas Traditions

I feel like the holidays were around for such a long time...yet it was all over in an instant!  Isn't that always the case?  I finally have all the decorations down, and it feels a little empty in our house now...except for the American Girl dolls that have taken up residence in the family room and the Legos that have consumed every inch of counter space in the kitchen! 

I feel like I'm pretty late in sharing all about our Christmas, but I always want to have these memories...so better late than never!  Each year is about the same...but that's what I love about tradition!  And each year still brings something different too!  The kids are getting older and it makes me cherish these times even more! 

We celebrated Christmas Eve with Dan's family...even though we weren't sure Elizabeth was going to be a part of it all.  She wasn't feeling well because of her immunizations a few days earlier, but she was a good sport and made it through with just a few tears...

{on the way to Grandma's house}

Emily and Kendall

Emma and Shelbie

me and miss Ellie

{she wouldn't leave my arms the whole night...bless her heart...and I didn't mind one bit!}

{Bethanie handing out the gifts...I love this part!  The anticipation...}

Emily got a little sewing machine, so cute!  I can't wait to find time to sit down and try this with her!  She loves to make things!  This was perfect...thank you Emma!

Elizabeth got new jammies and a fun Elefun ball popper!  She didn't really care about it at the time...but then she came around at home...and really loves it!  Thank you Bethanie!

Alex got a Marshmallow gun and a bag of marshmallows...um, thanks Kendall...ahem...

...Alex was beyond thrilled! 

He was only threatened a few dozen times that if we found one more marshmallow behind the couch... ha!

They each also got new backpacks full of goodies from Grandma and Grandpa...

{a Butler basketball and T-shirts for Alex}

{A Barbie with designable hair extensions, nail polish and feather earrings for Emily}

{and three mini dolls for Ellie...but again...she didn't want much to do with it at the time...

...heading home}

I love that we get together on Christmas Eve...but the kids are so excited to get to bed too...

...and what a rough night we had this year!  Santa was almost discovered...thank goodness he's magical and knows when little ones are trying to get a peek!

Sprinkling reindeer food on the lawn

Leaving out Santa's cookies and milk

Just hanging out...y'know, in a laundry basket!

Santa's already been here!

This was what eager eyes saw a second after Santa left!

Emily told me she couldn't wait to get up and see what Santa left out for her...he usually leaves a few fun goodies not wrapped so they each get to see something right away...and before they come wake us up!

Alex and Emily each have little Christmas trees in their rooms and Santa leaves them little surprises under their trees...because he left so quickly, he dropped Emily's at the top of the stairs, but she found it in the middle of the night and went and told Alex!

They each got a movie and a blanket with eye masks!  Emily got Dolphin Tale and Alex got Smurfs!

{Emily's surprise is in the middle of the floor...she hadn't even opened the movie yet!}

Emily's birthday plans for her 8th this year is a Spa Slumber Party!  She is so excited!

This book is so fun!  When you read certain parts...Jingle will bark and his bell will ring!  So cute!

New toothbrush!

new big bikes

{yes...Alex's bike is as big as mine...he can now pass me way up...we took it for a spin after school!  He is so proud!}

new ice-skating dress for her competition

trains and Legos

matching raincoats

the aftermath

{I think Elizabeth is in there somewhere!}

these Stackadoos that Ellie got were a hit with all three of the kids... they are fun to build with!

I love the holidays...yet I'm a little glad it's all over.  The kids are way beyond spoiled and I know that's not the reason for Christmas...but Dan and I get so much joy watching the excitement on their faces and we could never be thankful enough at how fortunate we are to experience it with them and make incredible memories.  And we also make sure that they are aware of other families out there that need extra help to have a fun Christmas too...it's  hard to explain that when Santa is still in the picture and why doesn't he give everyone presents...it's hard though and we don't want to burst the magic of it all either.  It is my goal this new year to spread that message to the kids more often and remember to help others year-round whenever we can...and not just during the holidays. 

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas celebration too!