Christmas Eve
We joined the extended Snow family on Christmas Eve at Aunt Susan's house for dinner and the traditional chime choir. Jeremy has informed me that in years past they used to sing carols around the piano but then, due to protests and a lack of vocal abilities, they opted to play the Christmas songs on the chimes. The kids look forward to the chimes all year long.
Before bed, the kids get to open one present - their new pajamas. After changing and getting ready for bed, we gather up the kids and we help the kids write a letter to Santa as we get his cookies and chocolate milk ready. Then we all sit while Jeremy reads Twas the Night Before Christmas and then Luke 2.
Christmas Morning
We asked the kids when they thought we could come out in the morning and they decided on 7:00. I was hoping we would actually get to sleep until 7:00 but I had my doubts. Nope! We heard them all talking excitedly at 5:45. We decided that I would get ready and then we would let them out at 6:00 rather than making them wait until 7:00. I love to see their barely contained excitement on Christmas morning. It helps wake me up and get me excited as well.
I love to see them race to their stocking and then run to show each other what they got.
After the stocking have been ransacked, we begin with the unwrapping. I got to unwrap the first present this year. It was a beautiful, new camera! I think the thought was I could use it to capture Christmas pictures, but it needed to charge for several hours before it could be used so all our Christmas pictures were taken with my cell phone this year.
Here are a few (or a lot) of my favorites:
Jeremy downloaded music onto the kids DS's and then we gave them all headphones. They loved it!
Santa has a tradition at our house of leading the kids on a treasure hunt for the last big gifts after all the other gifts have been opened. He leaves a note in the Christmas tree giving them clues as to where to look.
Dalton found skiis in his shower.
Ally found an easel under the stairs.
Jackson found an amazing racetrack behind the couch (Max's favorite hiding place).
For Holly's gift we had to trek through the snow to the playhouse.
Santa was extra generous this year because besides their normal individual gifts he left them a motorized car and scooter.
Santa doesn't forget the grown ups.
Jeremy found a new set of irons.
And Santa brought me the best gift of all. A trip with my choir to Prague, Vienna and Budapest. I had decided not to go even though my mom and two of my sisters were going. Santa, unbeknownst to me, had been working with my sister for months, to make payments and make arrangements for me to go with them on this trip. I was so surprised and excited that I just bawled! The kids were a little concerned when they saw me. Ally said, it looks like you're crying. When I said, that's because I am, she said, did Santa not give you what you wanted? It was the most amazing, thoughtful gift ever!
The kids immediately got to the serious business of trying out every gift they got.
Even Max got a new squeaker toy for Christmas that he wouldn't let go of. It turns out that he really liked the sound of the squeak. We listened to it all morning!
Dalton got a new game for the computer and he and Dad immediately retired to the computer room to check it out.
Around lunch time we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa Snow's house for a gift exchange there. Poor little Jackson was just worn out. He was up early and didn't stop all morning.
It was a great Christmas!
The kids had so much fun sledding the first time, they had to get together and try it again. I told myself that I didn't need to take so many pictures this time but with a new camera and so many great moments I couldn't help myself.
