Christmas Day!

I love Christmas morning and this year did not disappoint! It all started with Christmas Eve which we got to spend at home for the first time in about 13 years. All day was relaxing as most of everything was ready for Christmas Day. We got the girls in pajamas and read Luke 2; we then got everyone in the car and drove around looking at Christmas lights and singing carols; came home and got cookies and milk ready for Santa and everyone was off to bed. (Except for Mom and Dad.)

Christmas morning, Ashlyn was the first one up (as usual) and came to our room just as we were getting up and ready to greet the girls. We tried to hurry to get Kayla and Emily up before Ashlyn ventured into the living room and saw the Christmas presents but we weren't quick enough. Ashlyn saw the play kitchen and all excitement broke loose!

We do Santa Boxes instead of stockings. Santa brings books, movies, candies, fruit, puzzles and small toys. This keeps them preoccupied for awhile and then we get ready to go to family breakfast at IHOP with my parents, my brothers and their families.

After family breakfast we came home and Emily took a nap. When she woke up we gathered around the Christmas tree and Kayla handed out gifts to everyone.

I have no idea what Emily is doing but it sure is funny!

Aunt Katherine made aprons for the girls which go perfectly with the new kitchen Santa brought.

Grandma and Papa came over and we exchanged gifts with them before dinner.

Just what Kayla always wanted - a Pillow Pet!!

"Mom, it's a pillow AND a pet!"

New rides for everyone! (Poor Ashlyn is wearing a long, straight skirt and tried so hard to get her leg over her bike!)

Ashlyn got the hang of riding bike pretty quickly. Grandma has a bike at her house that Ashlyn is afraid to ride so I had to tell her that this was a special bike that I had specially made for her and it won't tip over. I think she fell for it.

This sums up Christmas for me...happy children!