Merry Christmas

We were all up early Christmas morning to see if Santa had come.  Evan came into our room around 5:00, but fell asleep in our bed until around 6:15 and we were able to hold him off until about 6:45 when he finally went and woke up Em.  Both kids couldn't wait to see what Santa had brought them!  I feel like this was the first year that Evan really understood Santa and how Christmas worked.

Both kids were really excited about their gifts, especially Evan.  Santa got Emily a balance beam and an American Girl Doll and he got Evan a jeep and a lego table.  The kids quickly opened up their presents from us and the ones they got each other and then checked out their stockings.  Shawn and I exchanged once the kids were all done.  Papa Mike and Aunt Catherine came over around 7:45 and we exchanged gifts with them and all had some breakfast.

He almost drove into a parked car.  He definitely needs some more practice!

Before too long, it was time to get ready and head over to my parents house.  We got there around 11:00 and the kids were thrilled about another round of presents.  Evan whipped through his pile in minutes.  I'm not sure he even knew what he got.  But after I went through it all at home, both kids got some very nice things from Mimi and Papa!  After presents, we all sat outside and ate lunch and enjoyed the nearly 80 degree weather.  (As a side note.  . . .it does not feel like Christmas to me when it's 80 degrees outside!)

We all headed home after lunch ready to take a quick nap before loading back up to go to my cousin's house.  Both kids fell asleep quickly and were not at all ready to wake up when we woke them up.   But alas, they rallied and off we went.   We arrived at my cousin, Patti's house around 4:00 and opened yet more presents and then had dinner.  This is so not like me, but I didn't take a single picture while we were at my cousin's.  Just too much going on to think about it.  We called it a pretty early night, around 8:30 or so.  The kids were exhausted by the time we got home, so we put them straight to bed.

I say it every year, but while I love all the days leading up to Christmas and anticipation of seeing the kids opening their presents, Christmas Day is always so tiring!