Christmas #2: Happy Birthday to Jesus

My kids woke up at 6:20 am. It was settled upon the night before that they weren't allowed to wake up until 6:45. So I told them to go back to sleep. And they did!

Sometime after seven o'clock, Grammy and Grampa came to wake everyone: It was Christmas morning! We all assembled at the top of the stairs, and, once given the okay, it was a flash of red pajamas flying down the stairs.

Moments after the big reveal...

And look what else Santa brought us...
A white Christmas! I have wanted a lovely white Christmas for years. Who knew I had to come to TEXAS for it! It was beautiful to me. The air crisp and cold, and the snow crunched under my feet. It FELT and LOOKED like Christmas! It made Christmas seem truly magical. (There was a lot more snow down where my parents live--it still hasn't melted!)

Inside, out of the cold, these guys were like three peas in a pod, running around the house playing "cowboy policemen," as they waited until it was time to open the presents under the tree.
(Notice Mary's bag in the above picture. It belongs to Baby N, and Mary carried it around all day.)

After a wonderful breakfast, we opened the presents under the tree. I have to post a few pictures of the chaos (but not too many, I promise)...


In the afternoon we enjoyed a traditional Christmas feast...
Our feast was followed by a little birthday song and (a sugary volcano) cake for Baby Jesus. I think this may be my favorite Christmas picture of all...
It was a happy, happy day! (Despite what I mentioned here.)

How grateful I am for this time of year: To remember that the Savior came into the world and to share that joy with family.

Speaking of family...when we got home, we hung out with my awesome little brother. We crashed in front of "Rudolph," eating yummy leftovers and the giant chocolate chip cookies my brother had brought from the Gaylord Texan. It was great to share a piece of our Christmas with him!

Speaking of family...I slipped away from the festivities to talk to Greg on the phone, and we skyped with him at home. I missed him a lot on Christmas Day. I'm really excited for our Christmas #3!