Home for Christmas

Look at these sweethearts who just woke up for the most magical day of the year! We really missed being with my side of the family for Christmas. I enjoyed being in the comfort of home and basking in the warm glow of our live Christmas tree as we filled the stockings, though. Did I mention I love that tree?… It snowed in the night so it was also a white Christmas and perfectly picturesque! The kids are growing so fast and their favorite things seem to change constantly, but we totally won with presents this year. I call it the LEGO effect, because as soon as they opened it all they wanted to do was play LEGOs (including Daddy). Our Spider-Man obsessed toddler and preschooler got a figurine from Santa, and our big girl (who still believes) got a cook book and stuffed dragon she asked Santa for. They were so excited for their stockings, too!

Some things they got in their stockings: Water Wow books which are great for church, a bookmark/timer for our bookworm, dried mango and beef jerky, chocolate kisses and candy canes.

Every year our kids get a book for Christmas, and this year’s were pretty awesome. L is an avid reader who frequents the library for chapter books, so we decided it was time to start reading Harry Potter with her! She got the first book of a beautifully illustrated version that we can start collecting. I scored at a Pre-Black Friday sale at Target and got the hardcover illustrated HP Books 1-3 for $15ish each since it was a Buy-2-Get-1-Free deal (they retail for about $40 each!). The boys got some interactive books to add to their Usborne collection—a Shine-a-Light book about cars and vehicles for F, and a train book with a pull-back train with tracks built into the pages for W. I bought those on eBay for a lot less than retail. They each loved their new books!

My sweetheart was really excited to start cooking in his new Dutch oven pot. He made a yummy breakfast! We kept it simple this year and got one big present for each other (a tea kettle and Dutch oven pot), and a small thing in our stockings plus treats. It was still fun seeing him open his new bow tie!

I wish we had done something a little more “Jesus” themed like read the Christmas story or something. Even though presents are super exciting it’s so nice to remember why we even celebrate Christmas! We focused a lot on family time and gifts this year—the kids craved just sitting and playing cards with us, prepping food and cooking with us, patiently helping with building LEGO sets, or following along as we read Harry Potter together. We got to extend that when we visited cousins and their grandma for dinner and more gift opening. Perhaps next year we can incorporate more service-oriented stuff! We are so grateful for our Savior, and wish you all a Merry Christmas!