Our children awoke early on Christmas morning (which is really the only day they rise early, thank goodness) and were so excited to see that Santa came, ate his cookies, and left gifts for them.
Santa brought Ella a gymnastics Barbie, two leotards, and gymnastics lessons. She was thrilled!
Santa brought Nicholas the science kit he asked for. Jeff spent the next couple of days doing science experiments with the kids, which they absolutely loved!
It was a wonderful Christmas morning and it was filled with joy and laughter because at six and four, the kids are at those perfect ages to believe in the magic Christmas and wonder at the holiness of it all.
After we opened gifts, we dressed in our best clothes and went to Christmas mass at church. After mass, the kids enjoyed looking at the beautiful nativity that is displayed near the altar.
Then we headed over to Grandpa & Gramme's house for brunch and a gift exchange. Our kids were certainly spoiled by my family!
Nicholas got a fireman dress-up costume from Uncle Brett
We got Vivi some bath toys, books, and socks.
Ella changed out of her Christmas dress into the Elsa shirt Santa stuffed into the stocking and was thrilled to open a matching Elsa wand from her Uncle Brett. The crown she got in her stocking completed the look.
Nicholas got an awesome new book from Gramme & Grandpa
And they gave Ella a new sleeping bag
The grandchildren posed for a few photos in their Christmas headbands. We couldn't find Vivi's in the mess of gifts and wrapping paper, so we figured a bow would do.
Vivi and Nicholas had this adorable little conversation in gibberish, but they both seemed to understand each other perfectly.
Later in the afternoon, the Egbert family stopped by. Dawn had stashed a gift for her husband, David, at my parents' house so they came to collect it. Ella was beyond thrilled to see her friend, Leah again.
Nicholas wore his fireman helmet throughout the evening
Last Saturday we had a third day of Christmas celebration with Jeff's side of the family and our kids were even more spoiled!
Alex brought his new robot toy over and Nicholas and Ella loved watching it move and dance around.
Ella got a husky dog that she really wanted from the Petersens
Alex got a Nerf bow and arrow
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| Can you tell how thrilled he was? |
Ella got an Elsa doll from the Kalmbachs
Zoie got some new boots
Nicholas got a fishing pole from Grandma Steph
We enjoyed brunch together and played some games too. Our family had a wonderful Christmas and truly enjoyed spending it with the people we love.
Yesterday, we rooted the Seahawks on to victory and the whole family wore our new Seahawks gear. Nicholas got two Seahawks shirts, so he let Ella wear his jersey and he wore the thermal tee. Jeff got me at tee shirt and he wore his jersey so we all looked like true fans while watching the game.
Today is the fifth day of Christmas and since the Christmas season lasts twelve days, we will continue to celebrate until Epiphany. Unfortunately, we had to take down our tree already since it died and was dropping needles everywhere, but the rest of our decorations remain displayed.
We wish all of our readers a very merry Christmas and a new year filled with blessings and joy!
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