Totally magical! My giddy school-girl excitement woke me early (4:30am) and I couldn't help but do my traditional "sneak out" to look at the tree. Luckily I was able to get back to sleep (even with how excited I was about my new stroller- I just got back in bed and planned out my morning run)! When I was younger Tish and I would be up all night. Seriously! We'd wake up anywhere between midnight and 3am and just hang out in our bedroom (well, with sneaking out to peek at the tree at least once) until 6am (when our parents allowed us to get up). Thankfully our kids slept a bit longer than 6am. When they get older I know we're gonna have to set a time rule, but for now when they were up at 6:45, we were too!
Don't let Madi's serious face fool you - she was thrilled to open her new diary with lock! She was pretty darn excited about those fins behind her too (she learned how to swim this past summer from borrowing some from a friend).
At first the girls were a bit confused when stockings weren't hanging by the chimney. For a minute they figured the Grinch had been to our house! I think Santa must have wanted all the gifts to be together (for picture taking purposes of course)! Santa had left notes with each stocking:
Santa really is pretty awesome- taking the time to write such sweet notes even with how busy his night must have been. Mr. Elf left a note as well (written on a picture that Madi had drawn of him and left by the tree). Boy are we gonna miss having Mr. Elf around. The girls had such a fun time searching for him each morning.
After stockings we all got dressed, ate a little breakfast, put Cal down for a nap, and then about 10am I loaded the girls up to try out my new double Bob!! At 4:30am (when I first saw the stroller), I'd already started making plans for my morning run. It was the prefect plan to run over to Boppi and Grandpa Al's with the girls and have Spencer head over once Cal woke up. And what a run it was! This stroller pushes like a dream - at one point I was running, while talking on the phone, pushing one handed! Amazing! By the time we got to mom and dad's everyone was done with breakfast and ready to exchange presents. We went first with a BIG surprise for mom and dad! Spencer decided to get them a new cat! He and Madi picked it up Saturday morning (the 22nd) on their daddy daughter date. "Kitty" (who has yet to be named) lived at our house for a few days and we all fell in love (Spencer especially)! He's a super good kitty and we're sure is going to make a perfect addition to the family!
Look how happy and content he is right here! Such a snuggly kitty! Bummed I never got a pic of Kitty with the kids before we brought him over to Grandpa Al.
The kids had fun opening presents from Grandpa Al and Boppi. Cal was quite entertained by it all!
I had so much fun watching my little guy on his first Christmas!
When it was time for Cal's second nap, we headed home. While he napped we let the girls open their presents under the tree. Well, we actually took breaks in between each one. The kids each get four presents from us - something they need, something to read, something they want, and something to wear. Works out quite nicely if you ask me.
Elle was super excited to open her "want"!
Luckily Madi also needed some time to play with her present!
After a little break we came back together and let them open their "NEED"!
This was taken after they unwrapped all the presents inside. These art kits are stocked to satisfy all their crafting needs (I was getting a little tired of them using up all my good paper)!
Cal's gift was a "need" and "want" combined. Spencer's been dying to get Cal some trucks!
And he made out BIG this year!! Pretty sure he won't be in need of any new trucks for awhile. Next gifts are gonna be trains!
The last presents of the night were opened at 7pm! I could hardly believe how late we stretched present opening this year. Below: something to READ (sorry so fuzzy - we were all tired after a long day full of lots of excitement)!
It was a fabulous day! We felt so very loved and spoiled by our parents and grandparents. How blessed we are to have so many wonderful family and friends. Oh, and I probably ought to mention my (other) big gift from Spencer:
He's oh so very good to me!!
1 comment:
Ooooo, lucky!!!! A new lens and a new stroller!! Both of those things are on my list. Looks like a magical day. You got some great pics of the kids! Lucas was up at 2:15, woke me up at 3, and kept me up until 6, when we finally went down to the tree! I was SOOOOO grumpy!
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