Merry Christmas 2017

We had the best Christmas this year! We absolutely loved spending time with our extended families beforehand, but it was so nice to just be in our own home with our little family for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Instead of dealing with packing, driving, overtired kids, and all the other fun stuff that comes with traveling, we were simply able to enjoy the holiday and our children, and it was perfect!

We started Christmas Eve off by attending the morning service at our church. The kids looked so sweet in their Christmas outfits. Jacob insisted on wearing his (non-matching) tie. Thankfully, I was able to convince him to tuck it in his vest for pictures!

We spent the rest of the day watching Christmas movies and baking Christmas goodies!

And of course we had to go out and  sprinkle the reindeer food Jacob made at school! Afterwards we loaded up and drove around our neighborhood to check out the beautiful Christmas lights.

The kids were so excited in the hour before bedtime! We set out cookies and milk for Santa, and Jacob made sure the chimney was clear for the big guy! We all snuggled up under the tree to read the Christmas story before tucking our little sugar plums into bed.

Christmas morning was magical! (Mostly because the kids slept in until about 8 am!) When our sleepyheads finally woke up, they were so excited to see their stockings filled and presents under the tree!

I love Lydia's face in these pictures of her opening her big present from Mama Dot - a handmade doll cradle!

And Jacob was ecstatic about his desk (also from Mama Dot), which he has been asking for since last January!

After opening presents we had a yummy brunch - sausage balls, cinnamon rolls, fruit, and juice!

We spent the rest of the day in our jammies playing with new toys, napping, and prepping for Christmas dinner. Meme came over in the late afternoon to eat dinner with us. We made delicious Cornish hens, sweet green beans, mac-n-cheese, and Sister Schubert rolls, of course! The kids absolutely loved the "Lunch Truck" she gave them! It will eventually find its way to her house, but for now they're loving it here at our house.

Having a four and two year old at Christmas makes for a pretty magical season. It was impossible not to join in on their excitement. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the only thing better than being a kid at Christmas is having one! Merry Christmas!