Christmas (All five rolled into one post)

This is THE DOLLHOUSE that Grace asked Santa for Christmas, as you can see she received it Christmas morning. She was very happy about it. It came with a mom, a dad, a big sister and twin babies a boy and a girl. The bonus of the house is the stove makes noises and the oven has a light in it. The phone rings too! The nursery has a changing table that when pressed lights a lamp and plays a little lullaby. Very cute and she and mom have gotten much enjoyment playing with it :)

Our Christmas actually started Christmas Eve at Grandma Martha's house. We went there and ate chicken noodle soup and other things of course. Brooks, Grace and I stole away for an hour to attend Christmas Eve services at church then back to Grandma's for presents.

Sam, Chelsea, Tyson, and Zac at Grandma Martha's

Grace, Diana (her back), Chelsea, Brooks, Grandma Martha, and Aunt Mary (her back too)

Grace opening presents at her Great Grandma Martha's

Grandma Martha checking out the calendar I made for her for Christmas.

After Grandma Martha's we went home to open our traditional Christmas Eve presents. They are of course every year pajamas. This is something my mom and dad always did so I have just continued it with my own kid and my sister does the same.

Mom and Grace in their Christmas Eve pajamas

Dad and Grace in their Christmas Eve pajamas

Grace took this picture, so I had to add it. She is doing better with making sure there are people in the little square before she snaps the photo!

After we opened our pajamas, we set out cookies and milk for Santa. Grace wanted to put out all two dozen cookies for him but we quickly told her he wouldn't eat them all because he got cookies at everyone else's house too. We read This is the Stable, Twas the Night Before Christmas, and the Christmas story from her Children's Bible. This also raised a very serious question from our little three year old. I was not prepared for it, thank goodness Brooks is a fast thinker. She caught the part that Joseph is Mary's husband. Grace says, "no, Mommy, God is, because he is Jesus' daddy." I was at a COMPLETE loss for words. How do you explain a Virgin Birth to a three year old??? Well you don't. Brooks told her that God is Jesus' Heavenly Father and Joseph is his earthly father. For right now our darling girl is happy with that explanation. Whew!

Christmas morning started about 7:00 a.m. I had to go wake Grace up and tell her that Santa had visited us when we were sleeping. She replied with " I know, I heard him on the roof last night!" Ok lets go. She ran in the living room and exclaimed "Oh my goodness" then as with last year threw herself on the couch and buried her head in the pillow? I don't know why but she just did. We then went out front to see if the reindeer were messing eaters and they were. We found out last year that the reindeer eat with their mouths open and if you leave them carrots, little chunks of carrots will be on the deck in the morning! Those silly reindeer!

Weird look but wanting to show off the clothes mom & dad got for her

We finally made it to my mom and dad's house. We ate breakfast that Jennifer had made and then opened presents. Grace got awesome things from her Aunt Jen & Uncle Ryan, Uncle Steve and Grandma Linda & Grandpa Jack.

Showing Derek her hat Aunt Jen got her and the ugly ISU hoodie Grandpa Jack & Grandma Linda got her...lol

Uncle Steve got Grace an awesome McDonald's Drive thru play set. She loves everything McDonald's.

Pretty Dress Up clothes Aunt Jen & Uncle Ryan gave her

After my mom and dad's we headed to Knoxville. Brooks' Grandparents Sox & Shirley's house. We ate dinner here and opened presents. We draw names for the kids and have a grab bag for the adults. We all had a really nice time.

These are the Great Grandchildren, Grace 3 and Lexi 4.

FR: Grace, Kaden, Kirsti, Cole, Lexi. BR: Brooks, Tonya, Dylan, Sara, and Tara

Ok, so we are all really really tired. So we went home and took naps and about 6:30 woke up and headed over to Brooks' parents. We exchanged gifts there with his mom and dad and Uncle Dylan and Ashley. Dylan got Grace a pink camo fleece jacket that she loves! Grandma Diana got her Disney Princess bedding for her room.

Uncle Dylan and Ashley

Grace opening something?

Well that was our very busy two days. I am very thankful to have spent them with all our family. We are all truly blessed to have all the Grandparents, Great Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and many cousins to celebrate the holidays with. I hope that yours was Merry and Bright! Have a Happy and Prosperous New Year!!!