Christmas Day

Christmas morning was magical.  So much greater than I anticipated.  I was a little worried about "what we should do when" because we have 9am church.  I debated all month about it. 

I set my alarm for 6am so that I could shower and be ready for church by the time the kids woke up.  Well.. I'm not really sure what happened to that alarm, but I ended up waking up randomly at 7am.  I hopped in the shower and before I knew it, I was ready for church and Mylie was still asleep! Luke jumped in the shower with Justin and then we decided to wake Mylie up around 8am.  Crazy!

After Justin had the camera ready, we headed to the front room together and the kids looked for baby Jesus.  Was there enough straw in the manger? Were they kind enough? Did they serve enough?

Sure thing.  Baby Jesus came.  He was wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in the manger. To be honest, I got a little emotional placing him in the manger the night before.  Love this tradition and the spirit that it brings. Isn't he perfect?

Mylie checked to see if Santa ate the peanut butter bars..

And she was surprised to find this note.. so fun!!

Santa left the gifts and filled stockings in a corner..

With special wrapping and monograms for each gift..

so the kids would know which one was theirs.  This elf had a really great time! :) 

The kids opened stockings before church and tried their shovels.

The shovels weren't on their Christmas lists.. but some elf (Justin) knew that they'd love them.  True! Now he has some helpers when he shovels the driveway. 

Side note, don't be alarmed.. Luke doesn't typically run around without pants on.. he had just hopped out of the shower. :) When we came out to the front room initially, Justin asked me why Luke didn't have pants on and if I'd mind for the pics.  I didn't think I would.  Hindsight is 20/20.. the "no pants" look is a little distracting.

Stocking stuffers galore.

After stockings, we quickly dressed the kids in their Christmas best and headed to church.  It was a wonderful program filled with musical numbers from our ward choir, the congregation and some words from our Bishop.  I missed sitting with my family, but I loved participating in the choir.  I live for music. 

Our quick family photo after church..

These two couldn't get enough of Baby Jesus.

After a quick wardrobe change, we were onto gifts from Santa.  An Ariel doll??? Just what she asked for. :)

A super cool tractor?? What he 'meant' to ask Santa for. Score!

We opened the presents under the pretty tree and soaked up each one.  It was so fun to sit and play in between opening.  Gosh, I always forget how locked down toys are.  Man alive! Don't worry, we survived and the toys made it out. 

Then it was time to head downstairs and open the gifts from under the kid tree.  The kids' "big" gifts from us were all set up downstairs.  To be honest, I could hardly wait!  So much thought when into these gifts.

Mylie LOVED her vanity table.  She was beyond thrilled when she opened the drawer and found her very own play makeup and new hair accessories.  We beautified her immediately...

She loved every second.  Once we moved the table into her room, she was no where to be seen the rest of the day.  She'd come out on occasion and strut her stuff around the room.. waiting for compliments.. and then head back to put on more makeup and brush her hair one more time. Love my girly girl.

I'll have to take a better picture of it.. it's darling in her room!

Luke LOVED his tool bench.  Justin showed him the ropes.. how to hammer the nails in, unscrew the bolts, drill holes into the wood and chop the wood in half. 

My guys.. doing guy stuff.

And here I am documenting the day. Justin did his fair share of documenting too.

A sweet card from my hubby adorned with his artistic ability. Isn't my man the best?

These kids were spoiled by so many loved ones..

And spoiled..

And spoiled some more.

We spent hours assembling..

And playing..

More playing..

And even more opening.

At some point during the busyness of the day, we paused... enjoyed our tea ring and egg casserole...spoke to our loved ones.. and played some more.  

We enjoyed a peaceful ham dinner at home and concluded the evening by watching Kung Fu Panda 2 as a family.  Thanks, Santa! 

It was a quiet Christmas.  We longed to be with our loved ones scattered across the country, but at the same time, we relished in the peacefulness our of time together.. our time alone.

It was truly a wonderful day.  Truth be told.. I LOVED having church in the morning! It kept our thoughts focused on the Savior and was the perfect way to start the day.  Honestly.  I loved that our sacrament meeting wasn't after all of the present hubbub as well.  It felt so right to worship Him Christmas morning.. to partake of the sacrament.. and to praise Him through song.

My most favorite memory of the day... Baby Jesus.  Mylie and Luke were at His side constantly.  I'd look over on occasion and amid the present chaos, Mylie would be holding Him.  We'd be in the middle of opening a present, and Luke would ask me to "hold da baby, Mom".  Baby Jesus was present and apart of our day.  Symbolically and literally. 

I'll cherish this memory.. this Christmas forever.