Christmas 2012

Christmas Eve we headed to my sister's house for a celebration with my family. We had steaks, twice baked potatoes, Chris's deer meat filet with wrapped bacon (yum!), salad, broccoli casserole and appetizers. We opened presents that evening after dinner and the boys loved tearing into the paper and checking out their gifts. Eli got a truck and tractor, Isaac ended up with clothes and Nook gift cards, and Olivia got some 'girl' toys! Carter, Camden and Eli had a bath together and then we headed home. 

That night we put out our Santa treat (fudge) and milk, and read the Christmas story together. After Eli went to bed, Josh and Isaac started putting together the toys while I wrapped. The kids each get 3 presents from Mom and Dad and then get stockings and Santa presents as well. We have been doing our 3 present rule for a few years now and love it. It simplifies life so much and really takes a lot of stress and 'give-me's' out of Christmas. No one is comparing number of boxes and we don't end up with a house full of toys that we don't need. "If 3 presents were good enough for Jesus, they are good enough for anybody!" I would love to take the kids to a homeless shelter to help serve when they are older or find some other way to give to others. We always take an angel off the tree to buy for, but it would be nice to find another way to give and teach the kids to give. 

 Unfortunately that night as we were playing Santa's Elves Eli started crying and coughing every 15 minutes. Finally about 1:00 am Josh went to sleep with him in the guest room and I headed to our bedroom. About 30 minutes later as I was dozing I hear commotion upstairs. Poor Eli had coughed so hard he threw up all over Josh and the bed. I helped clean up and change sheets and we headed to sleep. We set alarm for 6 am so we could finish getting everything out and house ready for our family to come over for brunch at 10:30. Eli was up at 7:00 and we started the morning. His eyes got so big and he said "Santa came!" My family came over to our house around 10:30 and we had a big brunch together. It was wonderful having everyone here even though Josh and I were going on fumes from the night before. 

Around 2:30 we headed to Old Fort to Josh's parents' house, ate AGAIN and opened presents with his family. All of his family were there except his oldest brother and his family. Isaac was a bit moody after having such little sleep and needed a few attitude adjustments. Eli made it without a nap, and Olivia was pretty content.  I role played with Eli practicing saying "thank you" when someone gave him a present earlier that morning and he did pretty good! We went up to see Josh's grandmother (she's is her 90's) and Eli handed them their presents. This year we didn't get to go see Santa, the kids were sickly, we were tired, but in the end it doesn't matter. We are thankful for another year to be together and for the birth of our savior! 

Happy birthday Jesus!

Eli and Isaac fighting over Papa

Carter and Eli excited after their bath

This is a pic of Uncle Richard dressed as Santa and Aunt Jane before they headed to NC.

Aunt Jane, Josh, and Livi

Our Elf helping Santa

Miss Priss in her Christmas pj's

Ready for Christmas morning (well the kids were.. Josh and I were ready for sleep!)

Eli on his new tractor. We took off the trailer so he could ride it around inside.   He's done pretty good not to run into things.



The rest of my pics are on my real camera but these were a few I had on my phone.