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| Christmas kicks off the Sunday before! |
Our Christmas kicked off with the Sunday before! We had our annual traditional Christmas breakfast with the H family. Kids are always pampered with extra playtime, because they never get enough time together and the parents get coffee time and snack on way too many sweet treats.
That afternoon we spent with "Our Alice." She's my dear precious friend who I love to pieces. My Alice was the one person who thought of giving me a baby shower...that was the best gift ever and I'll always treasure My Alice. The agenda included gift exchange, a 5 round game of Pit, followed by a delightful treat of a 3-tier Italian wedding cake AND cheesecake with coffee and Coca-Cola for the kids! Our afternoon Sunday visits are always a treat, but Sunday was extra special, warm and so welcoming to the hectic hustle-n-bustle of Christmastime!
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| It's always fun to "start" the bull trading with the tap of the BELL! |
Monday was spent with my 2 older cousins and my youngest cousin over pizza, salad, homemade lemon vinaigrette dressing and GREAT conversation! While the kid cousins played the adult cousins visited, laughed and enjoyed the company of one another.
Monday evening we received a nice visit from Uncle, Auntie and cousin Mami. While the cousins played and entertained one another, the adults got to visit comfortably and just talk. A very peaceful evening with out any chaos.
Tuesday, Christmas Eve, finally arrived! The day was a tough one because my little ones persistently asked to open gifts almost every 5 minutes, if not sooner than that! My Goddaughter arrived for an intimate breakfast...just the 5 of us. We had a warm breakfast of biscuits and sausage gravy, scrambled eggs and crispy hash-browns! Another moment of special, intimate conversation at a very low pace and relaxing environment. She made sure her Nina's nails were painted just right for Christmas...what do I know about the latest nail trends?
Off to church we went! Thanks to the dear G family, they went early to reserve us seats...such a blessing! This made for our commute much smoother...didn't have to leave HOURS earlier to get a decent seat. That was a nice Christmas gift. The service was BEYOND incredible. The power of the Holy Spirit moved the congregation and I, personally, left so uplifted and moved by the reason for Christmas and so incredibly thankful that I was able to attend...left so filled and so appreciative for my family.
Click here to watch our family favorite worship from Christmas Eve!
Dinner at Grandma's! The rest of my siblings had already come/gone or not yet there, so we had grandma and grandpa all to ourselves and the kids SO enjoyed that part of the day. They helped them open their gifts and even helped assemble the fire pit they gave grandma and grandpa. As soon as the soon went down, it was our Q to get out and get home so my babies could OPEN GIFTS!
...into jammies we went and cozied in for the night! Gates locked. The house all to ourselves! Let the opening begin! And so it did. We were blessed with such an abundance from those who love us so much. My kids were so appreciative and took in each moment with pure joy and happiness.
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| 1st gift of the night! |
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| Her 1st gift of the night! |
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| Her brother knows exactly what to get her! |
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| Gotta Love Nana Banks! |
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| Jump in the paper! |
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| Love my Boy! |
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| Quiet time after gifts, playing with Legos! |
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| She loves legos too! |
The night came to a close as kids continued their tradition of assembling plates of goodies for old St. Nic and his crew. I was most amazed that they remember every detail we started with when they were wee small! The same cookie plate, the same plate for the reindeer, reindeer food, glitter, oats, magic key, milk, specific cup, straw, note, wrapping paper, scotch tape, scissors, and a few more other fine details that even mama forgot! Before we knew it...snoring came from their rooms....
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| Chocolate mike for Santa |
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| Goodies for Santa, Rudolph, Frosty & Mrs. C! |
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| Since they were little, they made an oatmeal & glitter mixture for Santa and the crew. Here they are sprinkling before bed! |
5:11 a.m.
Yes, 5:11 a.m. daddy and I were woken by 2 full sized kids jumping on our bed. But, wait, we just went to bed...yawn...we begged and pleaded for more snooze time but that was not an option in this house!
Yep, the man in the big red suit had arrived! The proof? Each had a pile of goodies wrapped in the paper they each left, stocking pulled down from the mantel and filled with individually wrapped small items, snacks and treats all gone and yes...he even slept on our couch and left the blanket as proof! Plenty of proof and plenty of content smiles and cheers of joy filled the family room!
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| At 5:11 a.m, this is what we found! Two piles of goodies and stockings filled! |
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| You leave a letter with questions and questions are answered. |
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| The letters they receive are always so cool...It's all about the REAL meaning of Christmas! |
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| Yep, she got what was on her wish list! |
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| One happy boy...whew...he got what he hoped he would get! |
Within 45 minutes mama had conked out on the couch and daddy conked back in his warm bed! Merry Christmas to all...and to all a good night!
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