Christmas Day 2013

The kids were still sound asleep at 8:30, and since we kind of had to get moving, I went up to wake them up. :)  They came downstairs in their pjs and were very excited to see everything!  Kyler thought it was so funny that there was an orange in his stocking, he kept saying, "Santa left an orange in my stocking!". :)  Kyler was pretty quick in opening his presents, he went right from one thing to the next.  Norah took a bit longer, as she wanted to stop and open up every single thing from the packaging so she could play with it.  We kept encouraging her to keep opening, and then we could take things out of the boxes once she had unwrapped everything.  Grace was sleeping the whole time. :)  As soon as everything was opened, we got dressed and ate breakfast.  As soon as everyone was ready, we loaded up the van and headed over to my (Ashley's) parent's house to have Christmas with my immediate family.  Here are some pictures of Christmas morning at our house.

Ready for the kids!

Kyler with his things :)

Kyler and Norah waiting

Kyler opening his stocking

Norah checking out one of her things

Kyler with his orange :)

Norah still opening :)

Kyler's "big" gift, a remote control Dusty airplane :)

Norah with her play mixer

Norah's "big" gift, and house for her Loving Family people.

When we arrived at my parent's the kids headed into the living room right away to check things out.  Kyler was so excited to open more things, and started opening something before my dad had even come upstairs. :)  We let the kids go first and open up their things.  Then when they were done, the adults took turns opening up their gifts.  After we were done, we enjoyed a yummy "brunch" of waffles and pancakes, a Christmas morning tradition.  As soon as we were done eating, the kids got ready to take a nap.  While the kids and Erik napped, I hung out and talked to Abhay, a high school friend of my brother, who had joined us for the morning.  I also made my salad to take to our final Christmas gathering later that evening.  We woke the kids up about 3:30, and got them ready to head out to my Aunt and Uncle's house by Denver.   

Kyler and Norah ready to open more presents :)

Checking out their presents

Norah opening her soccer Cabbage Patch baby.

Kyler's present from Uncle Ben. :)

A REAL Louisville Slugger bat engraved with his name, how cool! :)

Grace with Grandpa trying on her present from Uncle Ben

Grace in a cradle that was her Great-great grandpa's

About 4:30 we arrived out at my Aunt and Uncle's house to have Christmas with my mom's side of the family.  The rest of them had already been out there, as they had their "family" celebration earlier in the day.  We got some things organized, and then began opening presents.  Once again, all the "little" kids went first, and then the adults took turns when they were done.  After presents we enjoyed a wonderful dinner of ham, potatoes, beans, bread, salad, and desserts.  We then enjoyed hanging out and chatting for a while before heading home around 9:00.  Here are some pictures from our final gathering!

Ben and Abhay helping Jack and Ryan put together something. :)

Kyler and Norah checking things out

Norah opening a book 

Kyler opening a present. (Notice he has changed shirts into a Dusty one he got for Christmas) :)

Ryan trying out the gift we gave him.

Enjoying all of the fun things they received. 

Ben ready to test out one of the Nerf guns. :)

Although it was a bit crazy, we had a great day celebrating the birth of Jesus and spending time together.  We were certainly blessed this Christmas.  We received lots of wonderful gifts, enjoyed time with family, and had some great food.    We hope you and your family had a Merry Christmas too!!