Christmas

I think my favorite part about Christmas is actually the anticipation for the entire month of December. All of the festivities from the decorations by Holly:

To the Christmas lists that start popping up everywhere:

The fact that it is a great excuse to have all four of my kiddos. I'll take them no matter what kind of faces they make at the camera.

To the family fun time, like watching Christmas movies.

To the "Do not enter" signs as I frantically tried to wrap everything.

We are still trying to figure out what our own family traditions are. They've been so intertwined with extended family traditions over the years that we now need to decide which ones resonate with us the most. I quite like the Bethlehem dinner on Christmas Eve. Something about the simplicity of the meal, the candlelight, and sitting on the floor to eat is a perfect peaceful moment before the craziness of the next morning.

Christmas jammies.

Christmas morning is always so magical to me. The kiddos wake up eager to see what Santa brought, and eager to share their excitement with each other.

Going through the stockings.

McKenzie already laid everything out so neatly.

Introducing Moki to his stocking stuffers.

My very magical view this Christmas morning.

Butterbraid goodness to keep our energy up for a strenuous day of relaxing.

Moments of present opening:

You know, because everyone needs a tactical hiking pole with axe and fish spear.

When we can't be in Purdue for hugs.

Sibling gifts, another favorite moments of mine. They really work hard to get that perfect gift for their siblings.

Cambrie needed cash, she's very poor and McKenzie could actually help her out with that.

A new game for Kelton from Daxton

Kelton gave Daxton a new video game. 

And Cambrie bought a Summer Fridays face mask for Kenzie. She almost spoiled the surprise by noticing a blue tube in Cambrie's room. I had to run and hide that lickety split quick!

The absolutely chaos once we're done. It's the only time I ever actually love a messy room.

Cambrie's haul (we'll see what she chooses to take back with her to school.)

McKenzie's haul (insert "teenage girl" wish list here.)

And the boys share absolutely everything nowadays. They chose to combine their goodies. But their biggest present isn't pictured here. You'll soon see why.

Once we're done opening we love having the rest of the day to play with our toys, build our Legos, munch on our sweets, and lounge in our jammies.

It didn't take long for the boys to take their new RC cars out to the backyard. (You may notice the lack of snow. It was a very un-white Christmas this year).

The boys' biggest present this year is an overhaul of their bedroom. We are lofting their beds, giving them a dedicated reading zone and Lego zone, and installing a cargo net so they can climb around on their ceiling. It has been a serious labor of love by Jeremy. He custom built the beds so that we had the support we need for the vision. We aren't done yet, but once it's complete we will definitely include a few pictures. They are incredibly excited about having the coolest room ever.