Christmas

Before we could het right to Christmas, we had a few things we needed to take care of the week before. We had a whole week of Christmas Break before Christmas!

Lots of cleaning.

House and unicorns included. 

It was time to say goodbye to the crib! We had some friends who were having a baby that needed it.

It served us very well for over 10 years. 

We didn't want to move Dixie to a twin bed before our trip to NM, so we set up the pack n play for a temporary arrangement. She loved her new set-up!

Just a few silly faces. 

Piano recital for the girls.

Maddie's first! They all did great. 

Delivering Christmas cookies to the neighbors. 

Still working through the trauma. 

Blade's last day of Nursery! Dixie transferred her attachment to this toy horse instead (that is not meant for sitting on).

The kids had a belt ceremony for karate. 

And Lance took the girls to see Grace in the Nutcracker!

Finally it was Christmas Eve!

Dixie helped Daddy finish up some work so we could have family time. 

We spent the afternoon at Station Park. First stop, Santa at Cabelas. 

You could tell Santa wasn't feeling great. I think that might be where we got Covid. 

Oh well!

Next up, ice bumper cars!

Dixie and I did a little photoshoot while we were waiting.

The Tucanos for an early dinner. We love that place!

(Sadly several of us has stomach issues that night- from here? It made for a very long night.)

A perfect evening.

Then it was time to hurry back home to do our Christmas program and get ready for Santa. 

Reagan dressed Dixie up as the cutest little sheep you've ever seen. 

Blade and Maddie played a very convincing Mary and Joseph.

Daryn was the angel, Reagan was the shepherd, and Lance was the wise man. 

Our best one ever? Maybe. Happy birthday, Jesus!

The children hung the stockings, left out milk and cookies for Santa, and were right off to bed!

Some of us still had a long night ahead...

By the time Santa came, the children were all nestled snug in their beds.

And morning came all too soon! This is the first year we have had kids wake up early. I suppose 10 years was a pretty good run. 

Reagan and Daryn were up at the crack at dawn. 

And Blade not too long after. 

Maddie slept until around 8 I think. 

And we finally had to wake Dixie up. 

I made a yummy breakfast, although between the excitement of presents and some people's stomach still being upset, we didn't eat much. 

The kids were very pleased with their haul from Santa. They must have been good this year!

We had a great relaxed time opening presents, enjoying them, and showing love. The kids' ones that they got each other at the Dollar Store were some of their favorites. 

Then it was time to try everything out!

Meagan came over that afternoon for dinner and played a very long game of Jumanji with the kids, which was great because Lance and I were too tired to physically move. 

The next day was a quiet recovery day. After church the kids played with all their new things while Lance and I got ready to drive to NM the next day. Yay!