Merry Christmas

This Christmas I was reminded why I rarely take pictures of my children. It started out with trying to take a Sunday picture in front of the Christmas tree. I finally got so frustrated Pete took over. This picture shows how the process went. At least Abbie and Josh were both looking at the camera in this picture.
For Christmas Eve, we were invited over to some friends house for a Scandanavian tradition.

We talked, sang a few carols, and then were visited by Santa. The kids were all told before we started caroling that if they heard bells they were to be as still and quiet as they could, and Santa may drop by, but if he heard them he would leave. We had a room full of kids and I thought for sure there would be plenty of noise. However, there was not a peep from the kids. They sat in awe as Santa dropped by and left them each a present. You would have thought Abbie had won the lottery from the way she acted. Her night was made!
After the visit from Santa, we went back home and read the Nativity while the kids acted it out using the Little People nativity. Then we exchanged sibling gifts and got our new Christmas Pajamas. After watching The Grinch, it was off to bed. I tried telling the kids that Santa wouldn't come until they were asleep, but Abbie reminded me all they had to do was be quiet like at our friends and Santa would never know they were there. Try arguing with that!

Christmas morning, Abbie woke up with the flu. After throwing up, she felt much better and perked up as the day wore on. Josh and Kelly slept until about 7:30am which made for a nice relaxed morning. The kids enjoyed themselves, while Pete and I enjoyed them. We spent the rest of the day playing with toys, talking with family, and snacking on food.