Our Christmas

This Christmas was wonderful!  No, really, really, REALLY wonderful!  In the weeks leading up to Christmas, people we met while out and about changed their refrain from, "Wow!  You have your hands full!" to the kinder, "Oh!  You're going to have a fun Christmas!"  They were so right!  Even though we don't "do" Santa Claus here, none of the "magic" of the season was lost on our kids.  They soaked in every aspect of the Christmas story and thoroughly enjoyed all the other wonderful Christmas fairy tales (i.e., Santa Claus and the Nutcracker).  They poured their little hearts into making "presents" for everyone they could think of, and exclaimed rapturously over every Christmas tree they encountered (which Bret just calls "Christmas"...i.e., "There's a CHRISTMAS!!!  Mom!!!").

At church, the kids learned a song called "Twinkle, Twinkle, Christmas Star."  Their class was going to sing it for "Big Church" the Sunday before Christmas, but since we were gone that Sunday, Serena & Bret missed out on the big performance.  Which is too bad, as they were really, really excited about doing it!  So, I had them do a performance for us before we celebrated Christmas.  :)

"Twinkle, Twinkle, Christmas Star"

Because we spent Christmas weekend in Cedar Rapids with our families, we decided to have our own family Christmas celebration on Thursday evening before Christmas.  While the kids were having their afternoon naps, I wrapped their presents and set them out around our little tree.  They were so surprised when they got up!  They had no idea we'd gotten them any presents!  :)

After supper, we had Serena tell the Christmas story using the Little People Nativity.  Then we gave them their presents to open.  We had Serena open one first.

Jordan asked her what she thought was in her presents and she said, "A toy!"

It was an orange vest for her to wear while training dogs (and hunting someday) with Daddy!  She obviously felt very "big" getting her own orange vest!

 Next, we had Bret open a present.

When Jordan asked Bret what he thought was in his present, Bret said enthusiastically, "Ummm, something to OPEN!"

Bret's present-opening was hilarious!  He would get all tremble-y with excitement as he pulled out the package's contents.  His face and reaction to the baseball glove was priceless.  Serena was also really excited for him, which made it all that much more sweet!  What a special time!

I had made a blanket for Cody.  It was something he really needed, and I love how it turned out!  It was worth the pain of working with that much minky and fleece fabric!!!  :P

 We also gave them a group gift of the book Tell Me About Your Day Today by Mem Fox.  They love that bedtime story, and I think it's pretty cute, too!  ;)

We had one more present for Serena & Bret:

"It's a GUN!!!"

These were a huge hit!

First gun

Happy boy!

I'm so thankful for the ability to give our kids such a special Christmas memory, but honestly, this is a Christmas that I will treasure in my heart for a long time!