Christmas Day

On Christmas Day we broke from our usual tradition since we were leaving later that afternoon. We went to my parents at 9 am and began by having brunch and opening presents. We then had a quick lunch and headed home so we could leave for Milwaukee after naps. Even though our time was cut short, we still had lots of fun and enjoyed giving all our gifts. It's always so fun to finally give what you've (ahem, I've) spent so much time picking out for my family. The kids were spoiled, we were spoiled....and we hope our family feels the same way. Thanks for everything! (Unfortunately, I took very few pictures.)

Opening his first present!

Um...thanks...clothes! (fake smile)


Look for these two on a Harley tour this summer.

Syd's ready to get in on the action.

Loves her new chair!

Uncle Chach helping her break it in....naturally.

My little buddy chilling in the rocker.

The Yonker boys sporting their monogrammed robes (compliments of the Harris family).

Stomping out a tune.

A Christmas Elf

I kid you not....this was not a planned outfit...just what he was sporting around the house.

Our Family Christmas

"Christmas" morning at our house was actually Christmas Eve morning but clearly, our kids are too young to notice. It was such a nice morning hanging with the kids, opening stockings, getting excited about their big Santa present, having breakfast and opening presents together. We're hoping to establish this as a tradition in our family--spending the morning together with the kids enjoying them. They were excited, we were excited and for once--NOT RUSHED!

First look of excitement when he saw Santa came!

Can't believe Santa ate the cookies and the reindeer ate the food!


Look what Santa brought Gavin!

And he brought Sydney a present too!

Testing it out.

That's my girl.

Stocking time. Seriously, I could eat them up.

Mom and Sydney in all their morning beauty.

Our tree.

Checking out their new books.

Helping Daddy with a present.

So excited--he's a big boy you know, ready for big boy games.

Ripping off the paper.

Playing with Daddy.

Cookies for Santa

This year in a rare occurence, Chad had Christmas Eve day off work. So since on Christmas day we'd be rushing over in the morning to my parents, we decided to celebrate Christmas Eve on the EVE of Christmas Eve. Got that? Santa came to our house one night early. As previously mentioned, Gavin is big time into Santa this year. We went through the ritual of putting out cookies and milk and even reindeer food. He was SO excited! After going to bed that night, multiple times he was yelling for Daddy an when Chad would go into his room he kept exclaiming that he heard a "BOOM! BOOM!" and it was Santa coming down the chimney. Chad finally convinced him Santa only comes when you're sleeping.

Getting it all ready.

Posed for the camera (Chad took this and apparently never looked to make sure his eyes were open!)

Persenaire Christmas

We always go to the Persenaire Christmas each year where "Santa" makes a visit. Gavin was SO SO excited this year, I cannot even tell you. He knows who Santa is and he knows what Santa does....and ultimately what that means for him in terms of presents. In fact when his name was called, he actually hammed it up with a large gasp complete with eyes wide and hands covering mouth like "I can NOT believe this is happening!" It was a video moment...which I didn't get on video. :) We've come a long way from Gavin's first Santa encounters but the beauty of having another child is you may get to relive some of those first experiences through another child's eyes. And we did with Sydney...much to the same result.

Gavin wating very patiently for his turn with Grandma Dody.

Have to give Santa a kiss to get your present.

Yeah, NOT having it.

Look familiar? It's cruel but priceless.

Spencer Trails & Moppets Christmas

I was able to go to Gavin's preschool Christmas party at Spencer Trails this year. It was so cute. It's so easy to get bummed about the fact he can't be in a Christian preschool where he learns the true meaning of Christmas but it was fun to see him in the environment he loves so much. He was SO excited to show me his friends and everything in his room. Adorable.

So even though he can't be in a Christian preschool right now, he's also been having a lot of fun as part of Moppets this year. At our Christmas brunch, the kids came in and sang a few songs which Gavin loved. All though he couldn't get the words out, it doesn't stop his enthusiasm!

Here we are at school.....

Snack time.

Reading a book with Declan.

Gavin & Lily coloring their Santa pictures.

Gavin & his completed snowman craft!

Playing a present passing game during circle time.

Listening to Mrs. Amy's story at the end of the day.

MOPPETS.....

Jingle Bells Fire Up, Fire Up, Christians...

FIRE UP!!!

Christmas in Detroit.

As always, we had a GREAT time celebrating Christmas in Detroit this year. This year brought some interesting moments with it as usual - my kids refused to nap on "Christmas", the Harris family (including Chad and I and the kids) lit the advent candle in church, we brought home lots of presents...and the flu. Overall, it was a great weekend and the kids were spoiled with gifts, love and attention. Thankfully, the flu didn't hit me until the middle of the night after being home and I was the only one who got it! Yay! All in all, a great weekend to be together.

The three muskateers gearing up for present opening!

All four adorables.

Gavin reading his new devotional book.

My little candy cane opening her first present.

Per usual...Uncle Nate was Sydney's favorite.

Kate and her new camera!

Love my little muffins.

Beautiful dresses to the girls from Gavin and Sydney!

Look who got a new pink hat!

Noah's Ark!

So cute together.

Gavin had a very "fire truck" Christmas. Not only did he get a fire truck...

He got a FULL fireman suit (which stayed on the REST of the night).

What did we do before cell phone games?

Beautiful Kate and Auntie Jen.

The whole fam at church.

Sydney chilling with Grandpa Norton.

Family Christmas picture.

A Perfect Pair.

Grandma, Grandpa, Gavin & Sydney.

Love her smiles.

Celebrating Chad's 33rd birthday!

Blowing out the candles!