Christmas Day

The stockings were hung with care, the jammies were clean, the fake fire crackled.  Santa was left a treat of cheesecake (he can cope with birthday leftovers) and a carrot for the reindeer.  The house was ready for Christmas.

The kids went to sleep and Santa visited.  He didn't even make fun of the derpy tree.

At exactly seven a.m. the kids piled into our room to demand the festivities begin.

They even quickly lined up in the hall so we could take a picture before the craziness began.

Santa brought Grace the fort building kit she has been dreaming of.  I seem to still be asleep.

Sam was more excited than he looks.

After we opened gifts we got ready for church.

After church we went to my in-laws to celebrate with more gifts and breakfast.

After the party at my in-laws we came home for 45 minutes and then headed back to the church building we had reserved for my family's celebration.  The kids put on a talent show.  Ethan did card tricks, Grace did gymnastics, Libby played her violin, and Sam sang "Rudolph".  My nieces played cello, emceed, and ran the music while my nephew told interesting jokes.

Then there were more gifts.

The next day this is what my house looked like.  Remember the neat and tidy picture up above, before Christmas?  Christmas makes my house explode.

It was an exhausting day, but it's hard to complain because we are blessed with much family and many gifts and I am thankful for it all.