Christmas Morning 2011

Once Parker finally woke up Christmas morning, just about 8-8:15 or so as he usually does. (And yes, he does still go to sleep between 6:30-7ish) He likes his sleep! He was still a little dazed and confused... Can ya tell?

But then he noticed the train! He woke up then for sure! Doug did too when he realized there were presents for him. He loves opening wrapping paper as much as the boys do! Silly doggie.

And the present opening began.

Parker was slow to get started because he was still a little sleepy and confused, but Doug on the other hand had no problem in the world ripping open gift after gift and chowing down a bone or 2. 

Merry Christmas to my boys!

We celebrate all aspects of Christmas and this year was that much more special because we had gotten Colby his very first Children's Bible.   I loved it the minute I found it. The stories are so easy to understand and yet very thorough and the pictures were beautiful.  Best of all, it came with a book on CD.  So we've kept it in the car and listen to it quite often.   They are both very good listeners when there is a book on CD in the player and will just ride and watch out the window. It passes Hours for us on many car rides with little to no toys! Love that.   Colby doesn't even want to get out of the car when we arrive (if we've taken a short trip with the CD in) where we are going and we sometimes will sit in the car and listen until a new chapter starts.  What a great way to kick off Christmas - this was the 1st thing he opened.  A gift to him from Baby Jesus. 

So we read the manger story chapter to start the morning. 

And present #2, the Little People Nativity Set!

We were 2 presents in and the imagination was already captured. Christmas could have ended here and the boys would have been happy just playing all morning with the little people set. 

But alas, I knew what other presents were coming up next. And I just had to let Parker open his guitar.  He loves music so we thought this would be fun for him to "rock it out".   Instead, I swiped it and got rockin!
 

Colby on the other hand opened a puzzle next and was perfectly content to sit and put it together.  Might I add it was a 60 piece oval puzzle and he did the entire thing himself. 

You probably noticed the pajamas change in the photos. Well, that's because as soon as the boys opened new pajamas they both had to change and put the new ones on! haha.  Silly boys.  They love their clothes presents as much as the toys!

Can you tell we love Little People sets?   Parker got a Little People Pirate Ship from Santa but how fitting, he had picked out an Imaginext Pirate Ship for Colby as his present to him.   (We always go shopping with the boys and let them each choose a toy to give the other as well as a book.)  So now we have 2 pirate ships and they both have been going on quite the awesome adventures through the kitchen and around the living room. 

Daddy even received a great gift!  "Corn Hole" or "Tailgate Toss"... it's been a hit in our house since we moved to the South.  Every restaurant has it outside to play while you wait or just play for fun after you order. We've only been able to play when we go out and we've been trying to pair that down sooooo I thought this would be perfect.  Make our own home made pizzas instead and still get the family fun of Corn Hole!

Each Christmas the boys receive 1 "big" Christmas present.   It always happens to be the one that Santa put at the back of the pile! That tricky Santa! This year, Colby had outgrown his 12 inch bike that he received last Christmas from Santa.  Guess he knew that those little legs were peddling a mile a minute to get around the neighborhood.  Well, this year he got upgraded to a 16 inch Cars bike! Awesome.  So wouldn't ya know after we'd cleaned up the paper and gotten dressed, we took it out for a spin.  A new Christmas morning tradition for sure! After all when it is 65 degrees + outside why not go for a family bike ride and enjoy the day together.  

Parker recently became a Toy Story fanatic.  When we went to see Disney on Ice that was the scene that captured his attention and he has since not stopped talking about Woody, Jessie, Bullseye and more.   He loves them.  He already had a Woody that he'd gotten at that ice show so how fitting that Santa would bring him a talking Jessie!!  He was so excited!  His new Jessie, and his Woody and Bullseye dolls are now inseparable... except at bed time because Jessie talks and well, she just never makes it into his crib at night time. 



All in all it was a wonderful and very blessed Christmas morning.  We didn't rush, we were home in our own HOME and we created wonderful memories.  I love how the boys are becoming more and more aware of Christmas and all the wonderful things that go along with it.  Hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas as well.