Christmas Arrived Twice This Year

We're the type of family from day one that liked having our own Christmas morning celebration. There is something exciting and fun about waking up at the crack of dawn to run down stairs and build a fire and make some warm mush for an early breakfast and sitting around watching your loved ones open the gifts you bought for them. It's priceless. Since we were going to be at the In-laws Christmas morning, we decided to have Christmas morning a day early. 

CHRISTMAS EVE MORNING: 

It's tradition. You have to have a fire on Christmas morning. Besides, Samuel LOVES helping dad build fires in the fire place. He cries if he can't help daddy. It really is quite cute. He knows how to crinkle up the paper and hand Kyan the kindling and even blow at the right times. He's a smart little guy.

Unfortunately, neither of us took pictures of our Christmas morning beyond this point. But, it was indeed a wondering morning. Later, we drove down to Galen and Anita's home and gathered together as a family to enjoy Christmas Even together. It happened to have been Anita's birthday a day before so Shawna brought a cake and the exact number of candles to match her age. So...yeah, light all those candles with a match really wasn't working so.......

Did someone say...... BLOW TORCH? It was awesome. Look at Galen lighting those candles with style. Well Done!

Of course the grandchildren helped blow out the candles with Grandma. It was a wonderful and quite delightful experience. One definitely worth documenting for future generations. :)

After the crazy party, we gathered in the living room to play a white elephant gift exchange. 

Then, we sent the kids to bed and the adults stayed up to play games. We had to keep a watch out for Santa Clause....of course. 

CHRISTMAS MORNING:

Christmas morning came sooner than later. We all woke up at 6am and the kids waited by the stairs until the adults gave them the O.K.

Samuel loved his new Thomas the Train set. From here on out, all we ever heard from him was ...CHOO-CHOO.

Once Samuel was done playing with his toys he went over to his cousin's toys and played with them as well.

The room was a disaster but for good reason. We all had a wonderful Christmas morning. When the gifts from Santa were done, we all showered and went to church to enjoy a wonderful Christmas program. More family arrived later that day and delicious food was served. It was a Christmas to remember.