Christmas in our house is a week long celebration, for as soon as I get off of work for Winter Break, my husband is dying to unwrap presents so on Monday he cracked and gave me my present, a new-much needed and much updated Camera. He must think me a better photographer than I am though because this sucker has more gadgets than I know how to play with, but of course I am willing to learn! He also got me to give him his present a bit early as well and we even passed out one or two to the kids throughout the week. Hannah called them her "kerprise" (surprise). Call us what you may, but early unwrapping is OUR tradition!
Tuesday we had our former foster daughters come over for their Christmas morning with us, where they opened their presents and then stayed for the day so we could bake and frost sugar cookies as well as continue the time honored tradition of making Grandma's popcorn Balls with cousins and friends.
Wednesday we had the COCC Worships team Christmas Party, Thursday Hannah and I joined the COCC youth Christmas Caroling at a local Convalescent home. And I must brag, Hannah was the delight of the elderly as she sang Jingle Bells Loudly and repetitively while combining the lyrics with "wish you a merry Christmas" dancing through the Halls in her Christmas gown with Matching doll Set.
On Friday we had Pastor and his family come over for yet more gift exchanges, and Dinner Mexican Style with spiced out Enchiladas, Guacamole and Dulces Chocolate. Saturday, Christmas Eve topped the week though. We spent the day with the in-law's for some brisket lunch and gifts, went to the COCC Christmas Eve service singing Christmas Carols while my kiddos danced to the music in the aisles, and then came home with some very exhausted kiddos. I didn't rock Zechy but 10 min. before he crashed in his adorable Christmas Jammas, and Hannah helped Daddy build our Christmas Eve fire-which I laughingly admit singed the stocking toes hanging off the mantle. After Zechy was tucked in and Hannah jamma'd up, she and I read Christmas books by the fire to the twinkle of the Christmas tree lights. I read her my favorite Max Lucado-the Crippled Lamb, and then finished off the evening with Dr. Seuss' the Grinch who Stole Christmas-whereupon miss Hannah nodded off on the second to last page. Seizing the moment, I posed her sleeping form next to the tree ans snapped a few memorable shots with my new Christmas Camera, the moment being so perfect that I kidnapped her sleeping brother from his warm bed and added him to the photo shoot as well-here are a couple of my favorite snapshots:
After I re-tucked the kids in bed, Brandon and I snuggled cozy next to the fire with hot chocolate in hand and watched the "Nativity." We wished each other a Merry Christmas at Midnight and went to bed.
Hannah woke up at 4:30 Christmas morning whereupon she crawled into our bed to resume her snooze. Zechy joined us in bed at 5:20. After zechy joined us, I must admit, I was too excited to go back to sleep. I did not want to wake everyone up to start Christmas, but could not return to sleep for anything. I waited until Zechy stirred slightly at 6:40 before I said "Merry Christmas Family" aloud. Hannah rolled over and hugged me, replying "Is it Christmas yet mommy?" I excitedly pulled her into me and answered affirmatively, she sat up and said "Merry Christmas to you mommy!" I asked her if she was ready to open her "kerpises" and she leaned over to her daddy and said "Merry Christmas daddy, wanna kerprise?" Brandon woke up quicker than I have seen in over a month and we all went into the living room, where the stockings where stuffed, the tree lights illuminated the room and the music sounded. I made hot Cocoa for everyone and picked up my Christmas present to capture the morning. After all the toys were out and being played with happily I had to leave my family festivities to join the worship team in our morning practice for Christmas service.
After singing songs to our dear Lord all morning (from 8:00-11:45) I have to admit, I wish Christmas was on a Sunday EVERY YEAR! What a wonderful way to start out the day. I could honestly sing Christmas all year! After church I went to mom's for Christmas morning breakfast and then we all exchanged presents. Zechy was falling asleep in my lab at 1:30 so Brandon took him home, Hannah stayed with Ommie and pappa the rest of the afternoon allowing me to get a quick Christmas nap. At 4:00 we returned to my parent's for Christmas Dinner of Roast Beef and Au Jau Dip and played a Scrabble like game with my brother and sister in law for at least an hour. When we got home the kids got in the tub tub to play with their new bath toys while I cleaned up the Christmas mess left from that morning. We then had another round of Family Cocoa, this time with kettle Corn as we watched Hannah's Stocking Movie-RIO. Both kids konked out before the end, which was good because both Brandon and I were on our way too. We carried a kid to bed each, and then tucked ourselves in at a whopp'n 9:30. Ahhh, good good Christmas.
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