Christmas!

Christmas has been getting better each year since we started having kiddos and this year was no exception. Because it fell on a Sunday morning, it was a little busier than other Christmases, but we still crammed in all the fun.

I don't know when the kids got up, but the TV was already on when I woke up at 7:30. Based on their LONG naps later on, I'd guess that the sun was still down when they first got up. I remember those days...

We decided to do stocking gifts before church and under-the-tree gifts after. The kids stockings were bursting at the seams with fun gifts and candy from us, Tom and Teresa, and other friends.



Afterwards, we sat down to our traditional Christmas breakfast of overnight french toast and sausage. I don't know why I only bake it at Christmas! I love it and I'm in charge of menus around here...ok, new years resolution. More overnight french toast.

Then we quickly got ready for church. I wanted a family picture, but we were out of time, so I just quickly snapped one of Deacon on the way to the car. I thought he just looked so handsome. Unfortunately, he has a nasty virus right now and he feels crummy. His mouth is full of sores, so anything he eats reduces him to big crocodile tears.



Church was really nice and a perfect opportunity to worship the newborn King! After church, we came home and wanted to quickly snap a family photo before changing into more comfy clothing. (I don't think we've taken a family photo since Caleb was born!) Anyway, we didn't catch Mackenzie before she took off her shoes.



Thanks to so many wonderful friends and family, we had an abundance of presents under the tree! All of us were blessed with things that we love.

Mackenzie gave Deacon a Cars hat. She was so excited to give it to him.



He had just enough energy to enjoy opening presents, but couldn't quite muster a smile.


I didn't mean to upload this pic, but since it's here...Mackenzie gave Bella a cute little purse. Yes, she's wearing her Angry Birds soccer uniform. Christmas colors, you know.


I'm so thankful that Caleb got some great new toys! He mostly has his brother and sister's old toys and they are a little worse for wear, so I'm excited that he got some brand new things to himself.


My photos end there. After presents, the kids went down to nap and Teresa and I got busy in the kitchen, putting together a wonderful feast. It was all traditional yummy stuff and we made sure to have enough for a terrific leftover meal tonight. I'm trying to keep my mind off of it so I'd better stop writing about it.

Josh is going to Australia for basketball ministry in a couple of weeks, and I wanted to balance out a portion of all the food I've crammed into my body over the last few weeks, so we went running together for the first time ever! I thought I'd slow him down, but we stayed together nicely. I think I still prefer to run by my lonesome, but it was fun to have him with me!