Christmas Festivites - Take 1

I hope you are all having a fabulous Christmas. Although we had planned on going to Steve's mother's house for Christmas, our plans changed a few days ago when our kids were all still sick. We made the decision to head south after Christmas instead and give the kids some time to get healthy. That meant I had to do some rapid planning to organize our Christmas at home.

Yesterday (Christmas Eve) Steve worked a half-day while the kids and I made our birthday cake for Jesus. Then when he got home we packed up the family and went to an early family Christmas Service at a nearby church (since our church doesn't do a Christmas Eve service). It was such a nice service and I was SO thankful that it was only an hour long. Keeping 3 small kids engaged that long was hard enough. After that we came home and enjoyed a great ham dinner. Then we sprinkled oats and sparkles on the front lawn (thanks Aunt Nan) so that the reindeer could find their way to our house. We also put out cookies and milk for Santa. By this point Molly was pretty much vibrating, but we got her to wind down by reading her book about the First Christmas.


Then this morning the babies were up at their usual time (6:30 a.m.) and we sat around waiting for Molly to wake up. Here's the tree and Santa gifts waiting for her to arise!


Finally around 7:45 a.m. she arose and the festivities began. Here's a video showing you her reaction when she realized that Santa came, and then Garrett and Paige enjoying some of their gifts!



And here's a classic picture of Paige a little annoyed that we put a bow on her head. Molly was a great helper though, and was more than happy "helping" Garrett and Paige open up their gifts!


And here I am with my sweet babies! They enjoyed all the commotion but (as anticipated) they enjoyed the paper and boxes more than anything.