Christmas Extravaganza!

Christmas is always fun but its even better when you get to watch little people experience it!  They bring extra wonder and excitement to the season that us grown ups have all too often forgot.

Due to busy circumstances the tree was not up yet when Chris and I got to Mom's, so we got to help pick it out!  I was really excited about doing this because for the first time in our married life we did not put up a tree this year. Since it was so close to Christmas the pickn's were pretty slim at the place we usually buy trees but we were instructed to check a new place down the road.  They still had some beautiful trees at a better price, but the owner was now where to be found!  Eventually a neighbor came and helped us and we were off with our tree!

Tying the tree down...

Hannah forgot her coat but was still gorgeous!

Once the tree was home it had to wait a few days to be decorated since little brother's emergency happened shortly after we brought it home.

In preparation for Christmas we made a trip to town to get all the fixin's for breakfast and meals to come, along with some special things for Christmas.  During this trip Daniel found some decorations he wanted to contribute to the tree.  Once home again it was time to decorate!  Since we had lots of fragile ornaments, I passed them out one at a time for the younger ones to put on the tree.

Finding just the right spot...

Dan with one of his contributions...

Mom and Bubba enjoying the show...

Dad getting Daniel's ornaments open.

 Christmas morning brought the excitement only a nine year old waiting on Santa could convey.  "Can't you wait?" was Hannah's quote of the week leading up to Christmas in reference to not being able to wait for Santa to come!  The kids kept asking us what we were going to get for Pandora, we assured them several times that we wouldn't need to get her anything since she would be excited about all the boxes and paper... we were right!  As soon as the first box was open she climbed in and made herself comfortable, that ended up being her spot through the rest of present opening!

Lining up youngest to oldest...

First sight of all the presents!

The first present to be opened!

Alex was excited about this movie!

Pandora dived in as soon as Hannah was done!

Deborah was sooo excited about this game!

Deborah and Mom often listen to Dave Ramsey's talk show while washing dishes, as such Deborah is a huge fan and really wanted to try one of the games Dave created.  Apparently you see who can get out of debt first, the first one out gets to shout 'I'm debt free!'

While doing some Christmas shopping on ebay, Mom and Dad discovered that folks were selling some toys that they both played with as kids!  Johnny and Jane West with their horses!  They figured out that they were probably playing with them during the same years when they were kids and hadn't even thought of each other yet.  For me this was just one more conformation that God made my parents for each other!  They decided to get some of these toys for the kids to play with, partly just because it was fun and brought back memories but mostly because they have been trying to find modestly dressed dolls for the girls to play with.

Beth liked her flying pig!

 

 

 

 

 

Some very special horses!

Dad and Granddaddy guarding some presents!

 Granddaddy coming to watch us kids open presents on Christmas morning is a really neat tradition that started several years ago, I'm not really sure when!  It is always fun to have him over and share in the excitement of the morning, and breakfast after the present explosion!

Sleepy present openers!

 It was so nice to be with the family over Christmas!  I got a special present the night before, a fresh snowfall!  Yes, I know I'm kind of obsessed, but snow on Christmas Eve is just so cool!  Now on to play!