Jake goes from sound asleep to wide awake in about 60 seconds flat - even faster on Christmas morning. He came to our bed bright and early this year and when we wouldn't budge, he woke up his sister. Between the two of them they dragged us out of bed and we got started on the stockings.
Jake was hoping for LOTS of Legos this year and Santa did not disappoint. The first set was in his stocking - do you think he's excited?
Haley takes a more measured, calm approach. However she did jump up and down when she found her very own library card in her stocking - I haven't seen her that excited about a present in a long time!
Alex went straight for the goodies - everything had to be opened and consumed right away.
After stockings, Mom heads downstairs to turn on lights and get the camera ready. Then the kids get to come down all together and see what Santa left out for them. I have to say that I had NO idea how fun being a parent would be on holidays. I can think of few things that are more enjoyable than watching the excitement and joy on their faces when they experience the magic of Christmas morning. It makes all the work of baking, cleaning, decorating and prepping for Santa worth every second.
Jake wasted no time setting up his new Lego game.
And Alex got right to work on his trains.
Since Santa doesn't wrap the kids' gifts at our house, they usually spend a few hours playing with their new toys before a single gift from under the tree gets unwrapped. Mom and Dad spend the time assembling, inserting batteries, napping, and fixing the eggs-orange rolls breakfast. Eventually we got around to opening gifts.
He is really the quintessential Christmas-morning kid. Jumping, squealing, screaming with joy. He fully enjoys it and it is SO fun to watch.
Haley is not loud and crazy, but her excitement and happiness always shines in her eyes. She was thrilled to get her very own digital camera.
One of the things that *is* more enjoyable than watching them open their own gifts is watching them give gifts to each other. They spend so much time carefully deciding what the others would like, wrapping them, and pointing them out to each other under the tree. These kids love each other so much and it definitely shows. Haley was very excited to give Alex his Thomas pillow pet.
As always we were so spoiled by our loved ones and are thankful for your generosity and love sent from afar. We miss you tremendously!
In an effort to "prove" Santa visited our house we sprinkled flour in front of the fireplace. Imagine our surprise and wonder when we saw big footprints in it the next day!
It's been a big day for this little one. Merry Christmas, all!
