Christmas Festivities

Christmas this year was simply wonderful! We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas day here with just our little family and I really enjoyed it, low key and relaxing. I think it helped that we were actually prepared this year. We had all the wrapping/assembling done ahead of time and that made for a very nice, stress free Christmas Eve. I spent most of Christmas Ever day cooking and we had a delicious, early Christmas Eve dinner. We then went caroling with some friends from church at a nursing home. I don't think the kids had any idea of what was going on, but it was nice all the same. The thought of anyone being alone in a nursing home on Christmas Eve makes me feel incredibly sad, so hopefully we were able to brighten their night a bit. 

This was what Cohen was doing when we first started caroling. There was a pretty large group of people, singing pretty loud. I think it freaked him out a little! 

This lovely lady from our ward and her sweet girls came with us. Her husband works for Border Patrol and works some crazy hours, so he worked on Christmas Eve. Bless her heart for coming and bringing her 3 girls. 

When we got home from caroling, we made some sugar cookies and had hot chocolate.We opened Christmas jammies. We then commenced with the tradition of sprinkling the reindeer food on our front walk. We talked/read about Christ's birth and then read "Twas the Night Before Christmas." It was really a nice night. 

Christmas morning was so much fun! I don't know who was more excited, me or the kids! I think it was a tie. Santa brought Addy a bike and Cohen a trike. Addy was a little worried when she saw the bike, but warmed up to it after awhile. Every other present she totally loved, most especially her Princess and the Pop star Barbie. She played with it ALL DAY LONG! I think "Santa" may have gone a bit overboard with Cohen's gifts this year. He got a lot and seemed slightly overwhelmed with everything. His favorite thing was either the treats or the trucks he got. 

 Such the boy...

 and such the girl! 

The person I was most worried about buying presents for was Ryan. You might say that he's a little hard to please when it comes to gifts. (and when I say a little, what I actually mean is a lot!) So I was glad that he liked all of his gifts this year. This one was my favorite, both of his diplomas framed. 

 The inaugural bike and trike riding. Lots of fun!

I love the age that Addy is at right now. She is so excited about every little thing we do. Every present, every tradition, every decoration. I know that it won't be like this for much longer, so I am really trying to treasure this time in her life. Trying to create some fun traditions and memories for our family!