We woke up to snow falling this morning, which was a total surprise! I'm pretty sure they were predicting rain, but not snow. We worked on cleaning the house up and organizing the playroom most of the day, so the kids were really ready to go out and play once the snow finally stopped. Jonah had a complete melt down over wearing his hat and gloves, and had to spend 10 minutes in his bed screaming before he decided that he would go ahead and wear them so he could go outside. That boy is STUBBORN! Daddy built the biggest, best snowman ever! He even built little ones for the kids. I was planning on staying inside where it was warm, but I went out and played for a few minutes too! I love snowy days at home with my family! Hopefully we will have some more of these this winter.
Madison looks so "beary" cute in her new hat that we got for the ski trip!
We made it to Grandma & Grandpa Baldwin's house around 4:00 on Christmas Day. We had a fun evening of Mexican food, opening presents, the kids playing & just enjoying being together! The kids got a lot of clothes & toys from Grandma & Grandpa Baldwin and their cousins. My favorite part of the night was when Mackenzie recited her verses from Luke chapter 2 about the birth of Christ, for all of us before we opened presents. She is a little witness and she doesn't even have a clue what an impact that can have!
This is always a fun way to end Christmas for our family. By the time we got home at almost midnight, we were all exhausted! And we had to get up at 6:00 the next morning to head to Newcastle for Aunt Gala's funeral. While we had a wonderful Christmas, there was this constant feeling that something was wrong...no one should have to go through the death of a loved one the week of Christmas.
Madison wanted a picture of just her, me and Pony!
I love these boys so much!
Jonah looks so big in this picture.
Jonah and Cole were buddies the whole night!
Present time!
Mackenzie & Bailey exchanged gifts, Madison & Olivia exchanged gifts, and Jonah & Cole exchanged gifts. It worked out so well to do it this way!
Jonah didn't waste any time with the banana he got in his stocking!
I love getting to be at home on Christmas morning! We told the girls the night before that when they woke up, they had to sing Jingle Bells at the top of their lungs before they could come down the hall into the living room. We heard them rustling around in there, so we snuck down the hall and listened to them! We want to make sure our kids understand that Christmas is not about a make believe character, so we tell them the truth about Santa. We still have fun with it though, and they get stockings and a "Santa present." We decided to try the 3 present thing for each child this year, and then they had one present from each other. That was hard for me! Sooo...their stockings were overflowing with all kinds of things. I just love buying things for them, not to spoil them but because it's fun and I love them! Jonah's big present was a train table, which he absolutely loves! The girls got a Wii, which they have been asking and asking for! I know both of these gifts will be well loved and used. After we tore through the presents, we had breakfast and then got ready to go to Grandma & Grandpa Baldwin's house. G-Ma was there for presents, but then went back to Newcastle to spend the day with Rex and his family. I'm so glad we got to have a relaxing Christmas morning at home!
I told you... =0) Stockings are my favorite!
Mackenzie begged for a fife!
Now for the presents! These were the gifts to each other. The girls got Jonah a Buzz Lightyear, Mackenzie got a Rainbow Loom for Madison, and Madison got Mackenzie the talking birds that she wanted so bad!
The girls both got Furby's! Yea for them...not so much for us! =0)
Jonah got a new scooter!
Madison got some new calico critters stuff!
Mackenzie got some things for her American Girl doll! She got a scooter, a few outfits, and a set of ski's. Her doll is going to look way cuter on our ski trip than me...that's not fair! =0)
See what I mean? It's true...
Jonah got a big boy bed! He's not ready for it yet, but we have it when he's ready!
Madison begged and begged for this watch/camera thing...I am finishing this blog post months later and we haven't even opened it. Ugh! Probably should've spent that money on something else!
Mackenzie got a new purple camera & case!
Now, it's time to play!!
What a mess! Just as it should be...
Oh yeah, the Wii is going to provide hours of entertainment...for them & us!
We had pancakes and scrambled eggs for breakfast!
Somehow Jonah ended up with his pajamas like this while we got ready!
All ready for a wonderful Christmas Day at Grandma & Grandpa Baldwin's house!
We have some beautiful kids...
I can hardly stand the cuteness of this outfit!
He looks like a little man!
Jonah was rockin' his new boots from G-Ma! Well, for a few minutes anyway! They're still a little big and I can barely keep them on his feet. They are SO cute though!
We're off!! I love getting to spend every day with him, but especially Christmas Day!
