Merry Christmas!!

It's is Christmas Day and all is well. We spent last night with Chris' side of the family, which we look forward to every year. (It's so fun to see the cousins together as they are all growing and enjoying Christmas in their own ways.) Tonight, we will go to my parents' house to celebrate with that side of the family, which is another tradition. (For the past couple years, everyone normally came here on Christmas Day, so this year, it's the same people at a different location.) Christmas morning, however, is reserved just for our little family. Santa visited last night and brought each of the kids three gifts: one for each gift that the Wise Men brought for Jesus. "Santa" almost had a dilemma on her (yes, her) hands last night as she was filling the stockings. She realized that she didn't have as many stocking stuffers as she thought she did and at first thought there were only three little things for each child's stocking. It all turned out okay, as I---ahem, I mean, "Santa"---found another bag of "loot" hidden in my closet, so the stockings were eventually hung, and filled, with care. This morning, the kids didn't wake up until 8am (Hannah even had to be woken up by her brother), which Chris and I greatly appreciated. When we were all settled in the sun room by the tree, almost fully awake, it was time to open gifts. It was so fun to watch the kids open one gift after another, thankfully taking time to appreciate each gift before grabbing the next and sometimes even forgetting that there were more under the tree all because they were already happy with what they opened. (A big sigh of relief from me, since last year's gift opening was practically a blur!)

Merry Christmas to you and your family on this wonderful white Christmas Day. May you take time to remember that today marks the birth of Jesus Christ and let us all give praise that God sent his son to die for us. We are so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends around us, and also blessed for all the people that have thought of us this time of year. :)