Merry Christmas!

This was the best Christmas yet! Justin and I got to be a kid all over again. Jack had a blast and he's at that perfect age where he is willing to share, let others help him open presents, he is so grateful and excited no matter what the gift, and it was just such  joy to experience Christmas with him. Ella, she was a doll! My sweet baby girl's very first Christmas was so special. She enjoyed crawling all over the boxes, tearing up wrapping paper, and playing with her baby dolls. I was a little emotional, putting them to bed on Christmas night. There is such magic in Christmas, and it was sad that I had to wait until next year to experience it again. That, and I just can't believe how quickly this life is going by. I try to be actively engaged in my daily experiences as possible, but that's not always possible, so I feel like we get busy, I blink, and it's bed time for everyone. Either way, it was a wonderful Christmas! Look at my sweet boy pulling his baby sister in the wagon! He insists on doing this every night. It is precious and he has to struggle to do it but refuses help. I melt!

Every year, we get lots of new ornaments. This was one of my favorite this year :)

Us having breakfast at Eli's table one day in December.

Since Jack's party was the first weekend in December, our decorating had to wait until we got back from Nana's cookie swap the next weekend. Ella was very helpful.

Jack piled several ornaments on the same brach...just his height. ;) Ella is pulling up on everything and follows her mommy around all over the house!

I didn't do as much for decorating this year as I usually do. I was glad I didn't. We did three trees, which I realize is a bit ridiculous, but I love them! We had a little Christmas in the kids rooms, bathrooms, and a snow village. That was it. Not much outside, no lights, no wreaths, and that was just fine with me. It seemed to be a lot more work putting this all up this year for some reason. The house was beautiful though!

We also did reindeer T-shirts. Ella did great putting ghee hand down on them. Jack liked to add a little extra to his T-shirt. Unfortunately for mine, the handprints looked a bit obscene when I put the shirt on and everyone at my mom's house though it was hysterical. Which is usually a good indicator that I should wear it ;)

This was the sweetest dress on Ella! I wish I could have put her in it more!

Dressing up a girl in seasonal clothes is such fun!

We had a great time at Granna and Papa's Christmas too. We spent a few extra days there this year. Above, Jack is helping make chocolate pretzels. I'll have to post more pics from Granna's Christmas. She always does such a fabulous job! I can only image how much work she puts into everything to make it all come together so perfectly! Sherry was even Justin's elf this year when it came to shopping for me...I was on to him when I saw the gifts were wrapped so beautifully. :)

Shannon made Jack and Ella these adorable snowman embroidered shirt/outfit. I wish I had such talent! I'm absolutely making it a point to figure my embroidery machine out this month!

Jack had so much fun making cookies with me for Santa. He loved to poke the dough with the end of the rolling pin.

On Christmas Eve, we went to pick up a few last minute things at the mall, some food items for dinner, and to visit the big guy. This picture is kind of amazing. It went as expected. Ella freaked out when I put her down and Jack just sat there with a huge grin on his face. I about die laughing every time I look at the expression on Santas face. He's like, "We've got a crier. Get her off of me." Haha!

 Jack was such a prince with Santa. He was mesmerized by his beard and answered questions appropriately. He told Santa he wanted a choo-choo for Christmas. It was precious. That night, after church, we ordered pizza and watched Christmas movies. We saw Polar Express, such a sweet story, and, of course, my absolute favorite, It's a Wonderful Life.

 Jack and Daddy made this ornament garland too. It was very cute in the doorway of the playroom.

Below is the loot from the big guy. :)

Jack was so happy to see his car that morning. He ran right too it throwing himself across the hood. "Help, help!" he said, trying to climb into it. It only took a half a drive around the park before I began questioning whether or not Santa had lost his mind bringing this car to my house. My poor toe got crushed!

 Look at this sweet Santa baby. Just waking up Christmas morning with a big smile, cooking up something sweet in the kitchen. Jack has enjoyed playing with the kitchen as much as Ella. He makes food for everyone. He was chasing Sadie around Christmas morning with plastic food demanding, "Eat, EAT!" He makes food for us, Ella, the animals in the playroom, you name it.

Ella got a ball pit too! I would have loved these toys when I was a kid! I have to admit, I really buy these things for me :) Kidding. But I do love to play with them!

 Never too busy to take a call.

They got lots of bath toys too!

This sweet baby has really started figuring things out. She picked up Sadie's toy the other day and tried to get her to play. Sadie obliged her for a little while.

Our neighbors got us gorgeous pottery that Daniel's sister made. How beautiful!

The night of Christmas Eve, we went to church for service, and it was so nice to really put Jesus at the center of the evening. His blessings abound today and always and I hope we teach Jack and Ella that we serve a mighty, powerful, and loving God. Presents, cookies, and decorations are great, but the birth of our savior is the true purpose of celebration. Hope everyone had a wonderful and memory-making Christmas!