Christmas Morning Part 2

 As the English say, Happy Christmas everyone, and a very Happy New Year!

Christmas Morning Part 1

 Christmas Morning at the Mushrush house consisted of family breakfast, opening gifts from Santa and then church. After church, we opened gifts from home and ended the day enjoying a big Christmas dinner with friends.  

We missed being with our family in the States during the holidays but are so thankful for the great friends and new family traditions God has blessed us with here in the UK.  We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!!

The Night Before Christmas

 One last listen to Nana and Grandpa reading to us from afar before we get ready to say 'goodnight'. 

 Our stockings from Great Gram Sargent.

 Presents from home!  Thank you for the many gifts you all sent us!  It really helps us feel close to home receiving American goodies from those we love. 

 Love this one.  My beautiful, loving family :)

 Reading a few Christmas stories before bed.  

 I know those cookies are for Santa, but I think they have my name on it :)

 A little bit of fun after getting everything ready for Santa.  So cute in their Christmas PJ's.  Thanks mom!!

 Christmas loot from Santa and our grandparents from back home.  

 

Daniel's Christmas gift... A Fish!!!!  

Visiting Santa's Reindeer

We live 7 minutes from a fantastic little zoo where they have reindeer!  After baking our Christmas cookies, we loaded up the car and made a trip to see Santa's reindeer before they hooked up to Santa's sleigh and made their trip to our house.  You should have seen Molly's face when she saw them.  She wanted to know what each of their names was and when I asked her if there was something she wanted to say to them, she shouted Tell Santa, I've been a good girl this year!!!" 

Christmas Cookies

We spent Christmas Eve baking cookies!!  The past few years we've baked Great Gram Mushrush's sugar cookies and peanut butter cup cookies.  This year we added gingerbread men.  Yummy!!  Molly absolutely loves baking and it made it even more special baking with her daddy (as you can see by the huge smiles).

Nene Valley Railway Santa Train Part 2

 On our way to the train! 

 Molly's gift from Santa

Big time lovin on Daddy

 Daniel's gift from Santa

 Molly really enjoying the train ride.  She kept saying, "Look!! Look!!!"

Just love those blue eyes :)

 After awhile, they realized they didn't have to sit still in their seats and started having some fun.

 My babies love each other :)  Speaking of them smooching each other, Daniel won't go to sleep at night without a goodnight kiss and song from Molly.  ADORABLE. 

 OH MY GOODNESS, IT'S THOMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Family shots with Thomas

Last shot!  What a great day we had!  See you next year Thomas!

Nene Valley Railway Santa Train Part 1

Every Christmas we take a trip on the Santa Train at the Nene Valley Railway.  This is one of our favorite British traditions.  The Nene Valley Railway is home of Thomas the Train and it amazes me how much like the Thomas videos it all actually is, from the other trains, the platforms and the station, everything!!  

You enter the station through these doors.  The station is old and hasn't been updated in ages, if ever.  Makes you feel like your realy getting on a train from times gone by.  

TThe train before us just arrived back in the station.  Now it's almost our turn. 

The kids posing by the mini Christmas trees they had all around.

Excited Daniel

No more pictures mom!

My two handsome men!

Me and my little'uns. 

Daniel not too keen on taking pictures or visiting Santa.

 Ho Ho Ho!! I love how when you visit Father Christmas (aka Santa) in England, they ask your children's ages and sex beforehand and have gifts tailored to your specific child!  Makes it so much more fun and personal!  Molly said she felt like this was just Santa's helper.  Keen eye for sure ;)