It was time for Santa to come! We all couldn't wait! On Christmas Eve, we went to Hope church with Heather's family and Ali's family. Um....it was packed. Overflowing. Crazy. It was a bit stressed to be honest....but I kept reminding myself why we were there and that I would not let it get in the way of the message! The church service was wonderful and the music was beautiful, and it was nice to be with family. We went to Ali's house afterwards for appetizers - it was a great spread!!! The food was so good, and the drinks were great. It was fun having Guthrey and Heather there too! We all just sat around and talked, drank and ate. Then, the kids played "Bean Boozled" with gross jelly beans. And, that's when this Christmas Eve became the Christmas "That Saylor Puked Jelly Beans." : ( And, folks, not just a little....she puked a lot. Let's just say this game isn't for her, and she should never audition for Survivor. She couldn't compete in the food competitions!
We went home after that and I came home with a big fat head cold! : ( Joe and I set out our presents, prepared for Santa to come, and went to bed.
The kids were very, very excited to wake up. But....Saylor slept in a little! And, I wouldn't let the boys wake her up! A little delayed gratification never hurt anyone. But, once she got up, it was game on. I told them one photo first and Saylor kept saying "C'mon boys! Put your arms around me! We need to take a picture! Put your arms around me!" It cracked me up!
We ate our usual Blueberry French Toast Casserole (courtesy of my mom's recipe box) that I make every Christmas morning, and added some lemon poppyseed bread from Joe's Aunt Genie.
Presents....Maddox got a baseball nightlight, Joey got a Seahawks blanket, the kids all got a Sports Find It game to play together, each kid got a new book and a night time reading clip light, and each kid got a Pottery Barn sleeping bag (that exceeded all expectations, by the way!). But, the "big gift" was an XBox One....we actually didn't pull it out until they were all done with their presents. Joey goes "Mom, um, this was a really nice Christmas. But, is that all of our gifts?" and Maddox goes "Hmmm, so that's it, huh?" They were trying to be so polite but I think a blanket, nightlight and sleeping bag were a little light in their heads. So, we pulled out the big dawg- and Joey literally started crying! And, Maddox was screaming and Saylor joined them in the excitment! But- her big gifts were Disney Princesses, Frozen headphones, and a little dog that walks. We did get her one XBox One game in hopes that maybe she would play a little someday.... : )
Joe and I also surprised each other with a few things. I got new Nikes, new slippers and perfume. Joe got a speed and agility ladder, white crewneck shirts, a winter coat and I got the whole family the Star Wars DVD set!
It was a great Christmas. It was kind of weird...it's the only Christmas (that I can recall) that I wasn't "home" on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. It just didn't work out this year that we could do it....but it won't be that way every year. And, maybe mom and dad can come here another year if it happens again.
Another good thing about this Christmas....it was lightly snowing. I loved watching it.
And, the photo I always take....the mess that Christmas leaves us. It's a beautiful mess, and every year, I say a prayer when I look at that mess, that God has blessed us with another year here together, and that we have everything we need (and so much more). We are so grateful for His abundance, and this photo always reminds me of that.
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