"Momma, I wish it could be Christmas every day!"

Me too son, me too. I had the best Christmas I can remember having in a long time. We did our normal routine of parties but it all just seemed easier and happier this year. We always do Christmas Eve breakfast at my mom's house. I love this tradition- it is a break from the normal holiday foods and it is almost like being at my mom's on Christmas morning again. My mom got everyone Silver Dollar City season passes this year!! We are so excited to take off and ride coasters any time we want! (Also, Nathan races at a track close to Branson, so he and I will be sneaking over on the way home and ride the big coasters) :) Noah got the Jurassic Park Trilogy - he was thrilled! Ryan got "Fwozen" dolls and loved them!

Our next tradition came on Christmas Eve evening - for as long as I can remember we have went to Nathan's grandparents house for dinner. We buy gifts for all the kids under 16 and everyone over 16 plays Dirty Santa. Everyone has been playing too nice with Dirty Santa in the past - but this year it was good and dirty :) We ended up with some Pyrex mixing bowls (that we just mentioned needing last week) and a gift card to Cracker Barrel - one of my favorites!

We did not get home and get the kids in bed until 10:00 and Noah wasn't asleep until midnight! So, Santa didn't get to stop by until late! Nathan had a headache and ended up asleep soon so Momma had to play Santa alone - but truth be told I like controlling that part - I have a vision in my head and really want it to match that :) Noah had strict instructions to come to our room once he woke up and luckily for us that wasn't until 8:00! We all layed in bed together and talked for about 15 minutes about if we thought Santa had came and what he brought and most importantly we wished Jesus happy birthday! Then we woke Ryan up (she will sleep until at least 9:00 on the weekend) and all ran downstairs. Noah immediately ran to his Jurassic Park house and said "I can't believe I got it"!  I am SO glad Nathan is crafty and was able to make it - it turned out perfect! (I did paint the roof and draw the sign - but everything else was all him!) Noah screamed or yelled "yes" or "just what I wanted" for every gift he opened. Ryan ran over and grabbed her Lambie from Doc McStuffins first and then sat down and just watched Noah open all of his gifts. She really didn't care about opening any gifts this year - just was not excited. We finally got her talked into opening all her stuff but it took at least 30 minutes! Nathan and I opened our gifts last - we both did good :) A few things off our lists and some surprises :)

Nathan then cooked us all breakfast and my dad came over to open his gifts from us and see what all the kids got (they opened his gifts that morning too). Then we played with all the toys and Ryan napped (of course). That evening we went to Nathan's parents house to exchange gifts and have dinner with his parents and brother's family. Noah got a dinosaur excavation kit and Ryan got a toy four wheeler. They also got perfect gifts from Uncle Brandon and Aunt Whitney!

Usually I am ready to un-decorate and get the house back to normal - but this year I really didn't want to! I love Christmas and everything that goes along with it. I feel bad for those who do not enjoy it and cannot get that feeling I get this time of year. Noah totally has it already - he likes listening to Christmas music, watching Christmas movies, and decorating the house. Ryan is getting there and poor Nathan has learned to like it tolerate it with a smile :) We did take all the decorations down and the house is back to normal - and it looks a little sad. Christmas as a kid was great - but Christmas as a parent is amazing. To see their eyes light up when they experience Christmas magic is so awesome. I just hope that our kids have good Christmas memories like Nathan and I do.