Christmas 2017

I hope you and yours had a merry little Christmas. We sure did.

 And like every year, I do not want to forget Christmas 2017. We got everything on our wish lists and much much more but what I really don't want to forget are the little moments that made this Christmas so special.

Christmas Eve morning we headed for Hidalgo. These girls love to play at Gigi's house. Just like I did when I was their age. The big hit for Auggie were all the new tools he got. If Douglas ever gets a tool out you can bet Auggie is right their beside him, but his selection was lacking. Not anymore! Emery loves her new Super Hero dolls she got from Uncle Austin and Uncle Avery. It didn't feel like we were at Gigi's for long before we needed to pack up and head to our next stop. We went to Sam and Sue's long enough to make a mess and change our clothes--sorry about that! We took off for Church a little late...but should have been fine.

But then we got stuck by a train. By the time we got to Church it was standing room only. So at first we just stood. I wished I had worn flats! A very nice gentlemen made it his mission to find us a place to sit together and he offered us three seats together in the cry room. We took them.

Believe it or not, we have never been in a cry room. Taken outside and talked to, yes... but never the cry room. So this was a new experience. All was going okay....and then the Priest walked away from the mic...and we didn't hear another word. Silence (well as silent as it could be sitting in the cry room). Doug and I just looked at each other and had to almost laugh. I think our kids were wondering what the heck we were doing. We tried!

After church we started in on our Christmas Eve traditions. First up was homemade Alfredo sauce and tortellini. Yum. After supper the kids exchanged gifts. Auggie got Em a "Shine" doll from one of her favorite shows. She loved it. Emery picked out a Paw Patrol hat for Aug. He was so excited about one simple gift...that is when Doug and I looked at each other and mouthed "tomorrow is going to be fun."

We got our reindeer food ready and then decided to add some green beans from supper and some old carrots we found in the fridge.

Auggie thought he should try the reindeer food one more time. As he was trying to chew an old carrot Doug asked him if he liked it. "NOPE"--as he just kept chewing. Oh Auggie. 

We gave the deer a big bowl of water too and then each kid picked out a cookie for Santa and we wrote him a letter. We read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and made sure the big kids knew to stay in bed and to come to our room in the morning. 

Christmas morning was my favorite. It started with Emery crawling into bed with Doug and I. We told her to close her eyes and to try to go back to sleep....knowing that was impossible. She was already giddy with excitement. She promised she had not looked in the front room but explained that when she was walking to our room she could see something on the other side of the couch....and she was pretty sure it was present! Her cheeks had to already hurt and it was only 7 in the morning. 

We decided to wake up Auggie and he nearly jumped out of bed. The kids' stockings are in their rooms so we checked those out first. That made it clear that Santa had been there! Em couldn't believe she didn't hear him come into their room. 

I love this picture of Auggie in his new farm boots. He truly loved everything. No matter who was opening a gift he would excitedly say "I wonder whats it going to be!!!"

Aug had asked for Paw Patrol things and that is exactly what he got. We knew Em would love them too and they have already spent a lot of time playing together which is what I knew would happen. 

Bennett was still asleep for a little bit of the morning. When he did join us, he was all smiles and just watched the big kids. He loved being apart of the action. He got his own Paw Patrol pup and clearly loves him. Merry first Christmas Bennett Lee!

Doug must have been on the nice list too because he got exactly what he wanted. Paw Patrol looks even better now haha...since that is all I watch. 

We played with our new toys all morning and Nana came over around lunch. Kiddos napped while we got ready for Christmas round three. 

Auggie again loved it all. He also wanted to open it all. But we are a one at a time family. How do you do it? He got one more big Paw Patrol item and a new RED tractor and wagon. Doug said when he was opening up the tractor for him, Auggie did a little excited shake. There was also a lot of jumping up and down and even more big smiles. 

Emery opened her "big" gift first. It was a small package but it contained tickets to see Disney On Ice! Girls weekend here we come! She only looks a little bit excited in the picture haha. She will love it so much....and so will Nana and I!

My big kids (Doug included) got a basketball game for the basement. Nana said it was for Em and Aug...but we know who will really love it.

We surprised Nana with a new chair and homemade shelf. She has been talking about buying a new chair and couch for-ev-er. But she doesn't buy herself anything.

The joke is that she only likes uncomfortable chairs. But she looks pretty comfy to me....

Downstairs also had a big gift for Em and one for Aug. What I love is that they both loved both of them. Auggie got the coolest barn. A minute after he opened it, he had disappeared. I thought maybe he had went upstairs to play with something else. Nope. He was gathering up his cows to put in the barn! Emery got a play vanity....and the picture makes it clear that they will both love playing with it! Just no scissors, Em! 

The kiddos were worn out by the time their heads hit their pillows. Auggie said his barn was his favorite and Em said she always wants to sleep with her new kitty. Hugs in kisses were extra long...I don't think we wanted the day to end.

This morning is just about the opposite of yesterday. Em sounds like she definitely has croup again (come on cold air...do your thing!). She looks pitiful. Sadly, Aug is right behind her. Bennett is super stuffy and my house is a mess. We are all a mess! But I will take it. I love my mess.

Good excuse to lay around, stay in pjs and play with toys. It's cold out so I think I will turn up the heat too. 

Merry Christmas!