Christmas Morning!

We woke up Christmas morning and Santa had come!!!  The kids were sooo excited!  Santa ate some of the cookies we put out for him and drank all the milk.  We left the reindeer some carrots too and they almost all of them.  Jackson also left two pictures for Santa, but he forgot to take them with him.  Oops!!!  But, as always, Santa left them a letter saying how good they had been all year.

Jackson and Jordan's sacks were full!!!

So the gift opening commenced...

Yay!!!  Underwear!!!

 An Easy Bake Oven!!!

 Skylanders!!!

 

 Santa was desparate for a box!  Jordan's watch was wrapped in a Velveeta box.  She opened it and said "Oh!  I got CHEESE!!!

Jordan got bunk beds for her baby boys!

Christmas morning was great!  The kids loved all of their gifts.  We spent the rest of the morning playing Skylanders and putting together Jordan's baby bunk beds.  Then it was off to Aunt Gayle's for Christmas with the Priesmeyers.

Christmas Eve

We made our way to El Campo to celebrate Christmas Eve with the Stock family.  After packing up the car, we put out the reindeer food that Jackson made in school.  He was worried that they wouldn't see it because of the rain that was coming in.  But we assured him that they would see it just fine.

So off we went to El Campo.  We delivered a few presents and then made our way Nana and Papa's house.  We rested there for a little while and then went to visit Aunt Dana and Uncle Ryan.  There we noticed that Reed needed his two front teeth from Santa too!

 After playing for a little while, it was time to get ready for Church.  We had a few minutes before we left, so we took a few pictures of us all dressed up.  This doesn't happen very often!

Then we were off to Church at 5.  There we experienced our Christmas miracle.  Jackson and Jordan were both SO GOOD in Church.  Jordan slept a little while, so that helped her, but Jackson was a perfect angel.  Kenny and I were so proud of him.  I think he was trying to get those last minute brownie points for Santa.

After Church we went back to Nana's to eat and open presents.  Shelley couldn't be there because she was sick and boy did we miss her.  As always, the kids had way too much!

Nana started by reading the kids a letter from Santa.

We're converting him little by little. :)

Jordan's first volleyball!!!

And introducing Todd.  Jordan's new baby boy and Max's baby brother.

Christmas Eve was great as usual.  The kids played with their new toys for a little while, and then it was time to head home and get ready for Santa and another great day.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and joyful Christmas!!!

Christmas Programs

With Christmas comes the kids' Christmas programs.  The first program we attended was Jackson's.  He sang with his class first, then all three kindergarten classes sang together.  You could really tell that Jackson enjoyed singing this year.  He really belted it out!

Then we attended Jordan's Christmas Caroling program a couple of days later.  Jackson sang in this one too.  He is considered an "after-schooler" there, so he participated as well.

Jordan was a candy cane.  Look at Jackson cheesing it up in the back!

Following the Christmas carols, Santa always make his entrance.  Jordan is still not a big fan of Santa, so the best we could do is get her to wave at him.  Jackson, on the other hand, was anxious to sit on his lap.  He told Santa he wanted his two front teeth.  Santa was amazed.

 

We're busy at home getting ready for the Big Man to make his appearance Sunday morning.  We're all very anxious for Christmas this year.

All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth!!!

Sooo this year, we've put this song into practice at our house!  Jackson was wrestling playing with a neighbor on their trampoline and his front two teeth got knocked out!  He didn't cry and they didn't bleed.  Aunt Bebe almost had a heart attack (she was babysitting at the time), but the neighbor across the street is a dental hygienist, and after a quick look, she verified that they were okay since they were baby teeth. One came out all the way and the other left a little bit of root that will come out in time.  Jackson was excited that the tooth fairy came that night.

~SIGH~ I was just thankful we weren't headed back to the ER for stitches or a cast.  And needless to say, he is BANNED from the neighbor's trampoline for evermore!!! 

O Come Let Us Adore Him

One thing I try to instill in my kids is the real reason for Christmas.  Of course, we love all the presents, decorations and Christmas lights, but we all know that Christmas is Jesus' birthday.  Because of this, I have many, many nativity sets.  I have one in almost every room of our house... even bathrooms.  I feel like it's a constant reminder of the season and to give thanks every day.

Jackson has bought into this as well.  They've talked about it quite a bit in school, he has tried to remove baby Jesus from most of our nativities because He hasn't been born yet.  Of course Jordan isn't too fond of that idea.

Jordan has been fascinated with the nativities this year too.  She re-arranged this one because "they all need to see baby Jesus", and have a front-row seat.

And this is the one in her room.  She arranged the characters like the cover of a Christmas book that we have.

And this is my favorite nativity this year.  Jackson made it in school this year.

Everyone Loves a Parade

We made our annual trek to EC for the Christmas Parade.  The kids love seeing it every year, and were very excited.  We got to Popo's work and had a quick supper before it started.  Lots of yummy snacks and homemade chicken noodle soup.  So GOOD!

Then it was time for the parade!!!  Here are Jackson and Kathryn getting ready.

Jordan watched from Nana's lap.

The theme this year was Disney, so there were lots of great floats featuring Mickey.  Jordan just waved and waved at all the floats.  She loved it.

Jack and Reed pretended to cut the floats in half with their "light-sabers".

And the parade wouldn't be complete without the grand finale!!!  Santa closed out the parade as he does every year riding on the firetruck.