~Christmas 2014~

Christmas this year was jam-packed as usual but we had such a nice time as a family and with family.  We worked very hard this year to keep the focus on Jesus and his birth and talked about it with the kids frequently.  As special and magical as Christmas can be, we always want the emphasis placed on the true reason and that is the fact that we are truly blessed and saved by grace because our Savior Jesus who was born on Christmas and died for our sins so we may be forgiven!     

On Christmas Eve we had two stops... the first being my Aunt Jackie’s house on my dad’s side.  The kids had a great time playing (and exploring her not necessarily kid-friendly home because let’s be real… people who don’t have small children don’t have to worry about that stuff anymore!).  Matt and I spent most of our time following the kids around asking them not to pick this or that up or stopping Amelia from opening some random drawer with scissors in it.  It was mostly relaxing though and not overly crowded so that was nice but it was a little exhausting at times.    

Amelia playing with candleesticks

Goofy Gooses

 

After Jackie’s house, we were off to Matt’s grandpa Cliff’s house (his dad’s dad).  There is always a very large group there and it’s always a nice, loud and fun time.  Matt’s dad… I mean Santa even made a special appearance!

Grant with Santa aka Papa George

Santa and his kids

Santa and his children in law

Amelia wanted NOTHING to do with Santa

On Christmas morning Matt and I were awake before the kids and patiently waiting.  When Grant first wandered down the stairs, he was the least enthusiastic little boy I’ve ever seen on Christmas morning with a tree full of presents in front of him.  (Our little Grant is not a morning person at all… under any circumstance apparently.)  Once he woke up more, he was very excited and Amelia followed suit tearing into their presents from mommy and daddy, Santa, and Grandma Cheryl and Pa.  After a relaxing morning, we were off to our first stop of three for the day.

 First on the list was Matt’s parent’s so the kids could open their gifts from them and we could wish them a Merry Christmas.

The 2^nd stop was my grandma’s house on my dad’s side.  A delicious meal followed by some relaxation and kid’s play time with some new toys then we were on to our final stop for the day.

Matt’s grandma on his mom’s side was the last stop.  I am sure you can imagine that by this point the kiddos were rather tired.  They both fell asleep in the car on the way there and continued to sleep until we woke them up about an hour later.  They woke in relatively good spirits considering and we rounded off our Christmas day with the Pipping side of the family before heading home to crash!