Some of my best Christmas memories growing up involved our entire Christmas Day at our home. We didn't go anywhere or travel we spent the day together with just our immediate family. This really hit home when we started to have children and the rush and pull to be places crowded our family time. Matt and I decided that we needed to spend the day together at our own home. If grandparents and family wanted to come to our house and see grandbabies that was fine, but we needed to be at home base.
This year my mom and dad and sibblings came over at dinner time for some Christmas celebrations. My aunt Pam and cousin Olivia came this year being in town from NC.
One of the joys of the day is that we try and take our time. I want to soak up all our family memories- love and quality time. So far the kids have been pretty cooperative. There wasn't an early wake up call to anyone. Matt made breakfast for us and there were several "can we open presents?" but able to calmly stall them till after breakfast.
We had three small nativities that the kids had made so when we read the Christmas story out of the Bible I had the kids find the cow or wiseman or the prop that was a part of the story I was reading about. The kids really liked being apart of the Bible story.
A friend was telling me how she set a timer and waited an hour between opening each gift. That way the kids enjoyed each thing and were able to play a bit before being rushed to open open open.
This year the kids were very swept up in the notion of Santa Clause. Both kids were hearing alot from their friends. We celebrate Jesus at our house only and don't talk about Santa at all. I don't want my kids running around saying to their friends that there is no Santa, so I kept emphasizing that we celebrate Jesus and that is what Christmas is about. But Corbin was worried that he wouldn't have any presents and where would they come from if there was no Santa. I said "Jesus was all we need, He provides everything for us." And when there were three presents under the tree for them labeled from Jesus they were just so excited and full of wonder. I was so happy.
We had a wonderful day! Aiden was able to have his nap and the afternoon was full of treats from our stockings and play time together.
So family poored in....there sure is a house full now that the girls are not small children anymore. There are six of us kids, parents, aunt and cousin, a spouce with children, a nephew and two dates.
Pam had gotten Corbin this fun ninja turtle race track. Aunt Lydia and Peepaw helped make it go and raced with Corbin most of the evening.
Matt got a pipe from Ireland from Rebekah. He was so excited and showed off his pipe collection.
Aunt Rebekah painted Addies toenails. I have no patience for this chore since she gets them rubbed off before the day is over.
The kids got these fun straws in their stockings.
Dinner was elegant with a Crown Roast and Salmon
I have always wanted to make one for Christmas. They just look so fancy. This one was grown by the Murphy's and it was very good. Tender and flavorful.... yummo.
Ignore the big spot on my shirt. Those pregnant ladies sure do know how to make a mess.
The night ended with grandkids and grandparents couching it with the babies and a cartoon.
The rest of us played a little Pit.
