Two Days of Christmas

Our family Christmas traditions have always been something I look forward to. I am so glad that I get to pass them on to my kids. Christmas Eve was always a big spaghetti dinner. When I was little it was always at my Grandma's house and now it is at my mom's house. I can remember wanting to eat really fast to get to the presents. No such luck, we had to wait for dishes to be done and a plate of goodies to be set out for everyone to snack on. Once all that was complete we then got to gather around the tree and start passing out presents. It was not a mad dash to open all the gifts. Everyone took turns. That way you could see what they got. I loved that! After the gifts were done, we would clean up the paper and boxes. Play with the new gifts for awhile before it was time to get ready for bed. After pj's were on and teeth we brushed it was quick to put out cookies and milk for Santa. The next day, we would get up very early to see what Santa had left in our stocking and under the tree. I always enjoyed this because we got two days of presents instead of just one! The rest of Christmas day was lazy, we played with our new toys and watched Christmas movies on TV. Late afternoon was our big Christmas dinner! So yummy, ham and all the fixings!

Of course, this year was much the same. Christmas Eve brought a wonderful Spaghetti dinner and the huge plate of Christmas goodies! Presents of course, which I was sure that my nephew Caden would not see! I think he almost died in anticipation of.

Emma and cousin Caden ready to open presents!

Caleb and Emma had so much fun opening presents! I think that this has been my favorite Christmas with them yet. The expressions and excitement that they had was truly unforgettable!

Every kid in the house this year seemed to have a theme that went a long with their gifts. No one planned that, but I suppose it happens when they are totally into certain things. Caden had a very Lego Christmas, Caleb had a very Toy Story Christmas and little Miss Emma had a very Barbie and Disney Princess Christmas! They were all in heaven with all their new toys!

Caleb and his first baseball set from Uncle Jordan (the baseball nut himself)!

Caleb in his Buzz Lightyear costume and holding his new Buzz Lightyear!

If you remember, Caleb had asked Santa for a big Buzz Lightyear. Well, my mom had already gotten him the big one for Christmas. So Santa had to come up with something else Toy Story. So Santa ended up getting Caleb, Woody, Buzz and Jess action figures...which were a really big hit also. Then Auntie Kelly got him the costume. It was so funny when he realized what it was. Rick took the costume out of the packaging and unfolded it. Caleb's eyes got huge and he said, "Oh My Goodness!!!" Then of course he had to put it on for the rest of opening gifts. We were afraid that we would never get it off of him either! Caleb got a big tool set from Uncle Ron and Auntie Karin. Ryan says that all he needs now is a tool bench! He got a new game, Going Fishing. Plus lots of new movies to watch!

Emma and the Barbie and horse from Grandma Renee.

The fancy Barbie from Grandma Renee...it sings and lights up! Emma is in heaven!

Emma was very into opening presents this year. So much that when she was done with hers she opened all of mommy's too! Mommy was glad to share, so it was all good. Emma was in Barbie and Disney Princess heaven this Christmas! Everything a little girlie-girl could ask for. Santa brought her the "swimming Darbie" or Mermaid Barbie that she asked him for. That was a big hit. She also got two Barbies from Grandma Renee. She received a couple princess books and coloring books. Emma was really excited about the 2 ZuZu (spelling?) Pets that she got! She named them Lisa and Rocky. I thought this was so funny. I am not sure where these names came from, but they are named and they have stuck! She also got a wonderful new baby doll from Uncle Ron and Auntie Karin. It giggles and cries, plus it has a bottle, crib, and clothes! What fun she has had with all the new toys!

Kelly and Ryan opening gifts and visting with everyone.

Ryan, Caleb and Emma after all the gifts were opened!

It was so great that Ryan got to fly in for almost a week. He had not been back to Rapid City to see that side of the family in four or five years we figured. We surprise Grandma Renee and work after we picked him up. It was wonderful! I know she really enjoyed getting to have us all together this year! What a blessing! Caleb and Emma are always glad to see Ryan. They have such a blast with him.

Christmas is my favorite time of year. Not because of the gifts...no because of family! I love being with my family! I am so blessed to have a great family! I cherish my time with them since it is so rare. Being back in Rapid City makes me miss living there. It is such a great place to raise kids and the people are so kind and friendly. Sigh...some day I will be back there....some day!