Christmas 2014

This Christmas was really fun as both boys understood and were so excited about Christmas.  We try to constantly remind them throughout the holiday season through stories, books, and just talking about it the real reason we celebrate Christmas.  I know they know that Christmas is Jesus' birthday but of course as kids they look forward to what Santa will bring them too.  This year we tried something a little different in our house for Christmas.  Outside of what Santa brought, each person got 4 things - something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read.  We heard about this from a friend in our Sunday school and thought we'd try it as it is so easy to get carried away at Christmas and that's not what it's all about.  Now, I'm not going to lie and say that we may not have gotten or put multiple things in some of the packages but each person unwrapped 4 boxes.  It was definitely progress and it was a whole lot less wrapping!  

Santa gifts this year included:
Brayden - bike and a rocket ship - the two things he asked Santa for consistently

Kyle - train, Elmo and Mickey

Jimmy also made them their own stage in hopes that they would stop dragging their instruments on top of furniture in our house as their stage.  They were also getting some new instruments between us and my parents so they needed a proper stage to perform. :)  

Kyle loved the felt Christmas tree that I made Brayden when he was 2... it was a hit yet again this season and the felt ornaments were constantly being rearranged 

At the Christmas Eve service at church.  Best we could do for a family photo...

 

In their Christmas PJs ready for bed so Santa will come!

Putting milk and cookies out for Santa...  

And helping Santa out a little with the eating... :)

Kids are in bed, time to put things together!  Really is a shame that Santa expects parents to do the assembly after he drops it all off.

 

Heading down the stairs to see what Santa brought!

Checking it out

 

 

 

 

Testing out the stage with the new electric guitar

And Dada trying out the new microphone and guitar

After opening presents at our house, per our tradition, we got ready and headed to my parents house where my brother and grandma also came. The boys got more fun things there like a scooter and a little indoor trampoline from my parents and a big keyboard from my brother.  My parents' long drive way was also a perfect place to try out the new bike and scooter. 

 

 

And of course when we got home that night we had to try out the stage again once it was put in it's proper place in the playroom with the new keyboard, microphone, Brayden's electric guita, and Kyle's new little blue acoustic guitar too.  They got lots of instruments!