One thing we like to do is do something special on Christmas Eve. This year we were fortunate that Dave was off on Christmas Eve so he could be involved! So we went to see the 4-D Polar Express Experience. I would highly recommend this! It was really neat. That night we went to our church's candlelight service and then tried something new for dinner; we went out to Outback! I really liked this new venture!
Going home after dinner we read the Night before Christmas; did our Advent activities; and got the kids to bed. We did not and never will break the tradition of waiting until Christmas morning to open our presents. Nathan wants to open one gift on Christmas, but this will not be happening. The boys get PJ's, but that is it! No gifts until after Santa visits.
So after the boys got in bed and were asleep, we got busy getting ready for Santa. First there is the scavenger hunt throughout the house looking for hidden, well, objects. Then the last minute wrapping (thank goodness that Santa does not wrap his gifts!). And the putting together of things. Then off to bed to await the arrival of Mr. Claus. This year he forgot to read the instructions on Nathan's gift which said his Pocket Rocket had to charge 18 hours before riding it for the first time! Uh-oh!
The next morning we got to sleep until about 7:30 before Nathan woke us up. He is not allowed down the hallway until we check and make sure Santa really came and turn on the tree and get the cameras ready! Nathan isn't too thrilled about this rule either! But we are not going to miss the excitement that will all too soon be gone as the years go by.
The boys waiting to go into the living room
The toys that made Camden much more excited than his bike!
The bike that made Nathan yell with joy!
Finally paying attention to his big boy bike!
Dave gave Amy an Ipod
Amy gave Dave a GPS
Present opening involved one new thing. We have always talked about the true meaning of Christmas, but this year we bought a present for Jesus. We bought him a chicken! (World Vision gifts)
Nathan is my giver in the family. Camden may grow up to be as giving, but for now, it is all Nathan. He wrote a list of all the gifts he wanted to buy or make for people and made sure all the family members were covered. (didn't matter that we drew names; he had to also get everyone something!) He made Camden a blanket; gave Dave a Wii fishing game; and gave me a set of books.
He also gave me a little figurine of Big Baby from Toy Story. This was a joke, but Camden had other ideas. We have a Precious Moments nativity set that is missing a Baby Jesus. Not anymore! Now we have a scary looking Jesus with a tattoo! Real nice!
Camden learning to ride his bike
This year we went to Dave's parents for lunch and gift exchange. The kids had fun playing with their cousins and I had fun not having to cook dinner!
Dave with his mom and brother
Nathan and Camden with their cousins
Nathan made his Gramma a blanket also
It was a fun Christmas! Now to get to bed so I can drive to Memphis to celebrate one more Christmas with my sister's family!
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
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