The kids woke up Christmas morning with such excitement to see if Santa came to our house.
They were thrilled to see he did! He brought a toy tool set for Nicholas and a doll stroller for Ella and lots of fun goodies in each kids' stocking.
Ella used her new pick flashlight to check out her cash register in the big, huge box.
Jeff opened his stocking after the kids were done opening theirs.
Then I opened mine.
After we cleaned up, showered, and dressed in our best, we headed to mass at Holy Redeemer.
After mass the kids really enjoyed looking at the beautiful nativity set up near the altar.
We all sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus before we left. Notice Nicholas in his adorable tie?! It's his first one!
Ella skipped through the parking lot as we walked back to the car because she was so happy it was finally Christmas. That Advent count-down probably seems really long when you're three, after all.
Elizabeth and I took a photo together while Jeff loaded Nicholas in the car.
Jeff thought it was kind of funny that Ella and I were dressed so similarly (my dress was white with tiny black polka dots and hers was black with white polka dots) so he took a photo of us when we arrived home.
Ella and Nicholas spent a few hours playing with their toys while mommy cooked soup for dinner at Gramme and Papa's house later that day.
At 3:30 on Christmas day we went to my folks' house and celebrated with them plus my brother, Brett.
We all opened our stockings and gifts together and felt even more spoiled than we already did.
Ella really loves her uncle.
Later in the evening we played "Apples to Apples" which is quickly becoming my favorite board game.
Brett got some festive Christmas music going...
And guess who the big winner was? Me! It was the perfect way to end a perfect Christmas.
We are so blessed with such a wonderful family and feel especially lucky that God sent his only son, Jesus Christ, to Earth to live and die for us so that we, too, may one day get to be with him in Heaven. Merry Christmas!!
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