Christmas Morning

Merry Christmas!

I absolutely loved Christmas this year, it was so fun having kids who are old enough for it to be magical. Grace was the best this year, she loved asking Santa for a guitar, she loved to drive around and see the lights. We have an advent calendar, it's Little People and tells the story of Jesus birth and each day she reminded me who's turn it was and eagerly moved the next piece. She was so excited whenever we saw Christmas tree's in stores. She was concerned Max didn't ask Santa for something and made sure we had something for all her aunts and cousins.

Max only opened one present early and it happened to be the present with socks in it, and he was a little pill with the tree for the first week. He loved seeing trees in the store and actually sat on Santa's lap without crying this year, a major plus! Grace kept saying she wanted a guitar so about mid December that's what he said he wanted too... but Christmas Eve he finally said he wanted a gun! (About 8pm Christmas Eve...) He still didn't get the idea behind most of Christmas, but he was pretty adorable ripping into his presents Christmas morning.

Santa did bring Grace the one thing she wanted, and she loved it! Her Grandpa Todd showed her how it worked and later in the day I asked her if I could show her something and she told me "Grandpa read me the constructions, I know how to do it." She is pretty good I must say! And she already has the rocker "Christmas morning" hair do going on. Grace also got a camera, a Belle dress, a giant chalk board, an outfit and some new pink boots. She got a Barbie and horse from Grandma Kate & Grandpa Guy and a puppy Pillow Pet & blanket from Grandpa Todd & Grandma Ruth, not to mention lots of fun presents from her aunts, uncles and cousins! Spoiled!

Max got his gun he asked for late Christmas Eve, good thing Santa plans ahead! He carries it everywhere, sleeps with it and begged to bring it to church on Sunday. He needs a little help holding it right, but I don't correct him, I think its cute when he holds it upside down and is so serious about shooting the TV... He reminds me of Ralphie Christmas night sleeping with his precious gun, it's pretty much the cutest thing ever.

Max also got a remote control Lighting McQueen, a Thomas the train set, a tool box and a bucket of soldiers, or as Max calls them "little mans", which he totes around constantly also...and if you ever find them lurking in your house after we've visited, you can bet they followed Max because I find them everywhere! Max got a giant talking dinosaur from Grandpa and Grandpa McBride and a Panda Pillow Pet and blanket from Grandpa and Grandma Tyler, and of course he got spoiled by his aunts and uncles too!

There are a few things I'm going to miss... and they aren't very Christmas spirited, but I'll admit I've loved getting Grace to mind, be kind and pick up her room by telling her Santa and his elves are watching and she might not get her guitar if she isn't good... And, I went and bought all new decorations for my tree last night and I can't wait to put them up next year! Hows that for wishing away a whole year? My ornaments were given to me when I was first married, and we've had them for 6 years now, so I'm ready for something different, but I wouldn't pay full price for them - but I got $50 bucks of ornaments for $17! They won't match any of my other decorations now, but I'm ready for a change!