Christmas Morning

This year was our first year to spend Christmas morning in our own home. It seemed a little quiet and different, but it was also very nice to focus on the kids and really enjoy each other. We were in no rush, and they stopped to enjoy everything along the way, so the festivities of the morning went really long and we had a great time together.

Eden woke up very excited and ready to get the party started. Unfortunately Bentley stayed up late singing and talking in bed so when we woke him up he wasn't too happy about it. Ha ha

Here's the loot from Santa this year, and one last look at the tree before the room got destroyed.

Eden was very happy to see that Santa brought her a mermaid tail and mermaid hair, just like she asked.

Bentley was VERY happy about the trains and it took quite a while to get him to look at anything else in his pile or his stocking. We eventually got there though and he discovered many other fun things to play with.

Once we had a good amount of time playing with our gifts from Santa, and after Eden had sung a few songs for us on her new karaoke machine, we gathered in the kitchen for Santa pancakes, bacon and eggs. They weren't the cutest pancakes, but they found them fun and delicious.

Once breakfast was done, it was time to descend upon the tree and open all the presents. Eden ended up in a couple different outfits before it was all done, but she began in her new mermaid outfit from Santa. Isn't she a beauty?! :)

The kids both got pillow pets from Gma/Gpa Justice and those were a huge hit! Thanks guys!

Brad took Eden to the store to pick something that she wanted to give me. She is really into makeup right now so I wasn't surprised at all that this is what she chose for me. She was so excited about it. Later that night we had the following funny conversation:
ME: "Eden what is your favorite thing you got today?"
EDEN: "The makeup"
ME: "But that was the present you gave me. What is the present you got that you love the most?"
EDEN: "Well mom you already have a lot of makeup so I think you can give that to me because it is my favorite."
And ultimately, without me saying anything else, it totally has become hers and she has cherished it ever since that morning. :)

Brad got some new slippers, board games, and printed/bound copies of blog books for the years 2010 - 2012. I think that was a fun surprise for him. He got me this beautiful picture to hang above our piano. I love it.

Once all the presents were opened, we spent the next few hours playing with everything over and over again. It was such a wonderful morning. I am so incredibly blessed and am so grateful for the birth of our Savior and the opportunity I have to celebrate his life with the people I love the most.

Christmas Eve

This year we celebrated Christmas Eve at our house with some of my family. Tiffany and Michael's families wouldn't be arriving into town until the next day, so we had a smaller, kind of low key celebration on Christmas Eve since all the real crazy partying would be starting the next day. :)

It turned out to be a really nice afternoon though with good food and lots of fun hanging out together.

Bentley has been the patient many times while Dr. Eden has given him check-ups so now he insists on being the Dr. sometimes too. He definitely loves to check peoples eyes and give shots. :)

Before the Harding family headed home, all the kids got to open their Christmas PJs together. It was definitely mass hysteria once we said "go"

Eden was very happy and excited about her Ariel nightgown.

Bentley loves his new snowman PJs and wants to wear them all the time. Quite often he sheds some tears in the mornings when I have to change his clothes.

I love pictures of these precious kids. It's so funny to see aspects of their personalities as they are posing for a picture. Bentley was obviously a little nervous about the fact that Lincoln had him around the neck.

Thanks family for a wonderful Christmas Eve!