Christmas Over Here

As I folded up the tree skirt and put it away today, I could not wrap my mind around the fact that Christmas has come and gone. It's always such a happy whirlwind. In fact, I never posted a few pictures I meant to during the month of December. 

Like this one of the kids under the tree one night...

Or Emmy accessorizing (she's an expert at it you know) the snowman...

Or our poor elf who Jansen "hid" in the toilet and then got tossed in the sink till I could deep clean him AND the sink...

Or the night we made gingerbread houses...

Now on to Christmas Eve and Christmas...

We spent Christmas Eve at the Rasmussen's and had a wonderful dinner with ham, potatoes, rolls, Brussels sprouts, Jell-O, fruit, and other deliciousness. 

I think Jansen really wants a foosball table now.

We read from the scriptures and the kids acted out the nativity.

Lucky Natalie got to be Mary.

 Is this not the sweetest picture of our little "angel?"

The kids watched Home Alone while we played a game. I cannot for the life of me remember what it was called, but I was awful at it. We had so much fun though.

 After we got home the kids opened a present from Mom and Dad: new pajamas, slippers, and a book. Jansen and Natalie both love Calvin and Hobbes right now. We spent some time talking together about the reasons we are thankful that Christ was born. 

 Our kids have always gone to bed really well on Christmas Eve, they sleep through the night, and don't wake up insanely early. I don't know what we did to deserve it, but it makes for a happy Christmas morning. I'm sure it will change over the years. I think Jansen and Natalie woke up around 7, and we got Emmy and headed downstairs. There's just no way to describe the magic of Christmas morning. Although a couple of these pictures do a pretty good job of capturing it.

This is part of the aftermath. It's mostly cleaned up now, but still not all the way! A part of me cringes when I see all that "stuff," but it happens once a year, and I just love the joy and memories it creates for the kids. I know they don't need lots of gifts to be happy, but I think the real meaning of Christmas can be remembered, treasured, and celebrated while still enjoying the excitement of Santa and presents.

We had a late, late breakfast with cinnamon rolls, breakfast potatoes, omelets, and a smoothie. The rest of the day was spent in our pajamas just being together. Jansen loves his laser tag gift, and Nate has been a good sport to play many, many rounds with him. Now that Christmas is over, I'm ready for spring!