We went to our Christmas church service the day before Christmas Eve. Our kids sat with us and did great during the service. They really liked all the music and were dancing, singing and clapping.
All dressed up and ready to go:
On Christmas Eve, we went to Olympia to spend the day with Gramps, Oma and Uncle Kai. We left our house in the morning around nap time and stayed the whole day. We had so much fun playing and spending time together. Tycen and Shaylie did great, especially since they didn't nap much all day.
Gramps and Oma got Tycen and Shaylie a really nice Radio Flyer wagon! I can't wait to take them on wagon rides over to the park this spring, they are going to love it.
Oma made us a fabulous dinner! She made 'Nana's Mac N' Cheese' (my grandpa's mother's recipe), which was very yummy :)
Here we all are (minus Scott), ready to eat:
Thanks for hosting such a special day!! We had SO much fun!
Thanks for hosting such a special day!! We had SO much fun!
On Christmas day, we tried to space out opening of gifts throughout the day so that Tyce and Shay Shay wouldn't get too overwhelmed opening all their gifts at once. That way they could enjoy each present, too. In the morning we first opened our stockings:
Notice their pj's say, 'Perfect Little Present' :). They did great unwrapping the gifts with little to no help. Of course, they'd have been perfectly happy with just the wrapping paper.
Sydney got a stocking, too:
After opening a few presents, Tycen and Shaylie got to take their first bubble bath!! They had a lot of fun splashing around:
Another round of opening gifts:
Great-grandpa and Great-grandma Burke sent this vacuum in the mail. The kids loved it! Now they can help me vacuum while I do and hopefully they won't be so uneasy about our vacuum.
This fire truck is one of the only gifts they received from Mommy and Daddy. It was a big hit!!
After Tycen and Shaylie's afternoon nap, we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa Haij's house. Grandma Haij did an fantastic job of preparing most of the meal, which was delicious as always! She also makes the best cookies in town, which I definitely ate far more than my share of.
Here's cousin Gracie helping Shaylie open a present:
Shaylie got this doll from Aunt Lynsey and Uncle Mike. We named her Zoe, and she loves her. Here she is going in for a nice (tongue) kiss :)
Grandma Haij opening a gift from Tycen and Shaylie (a ceramic vase with their handprints):
Grandpa Haij and Jakey:
Uncle Mike and Tycen:
Scott and Uncle Nick:
Sister-in-laws: Aunt Lynsey, me and Aunt Rachael
Thanks, again, Grandpa and Grandma Haij for hosting such a nice Christmas celebration this year!! As usual, you completely spoiled your grandchildren and got far too many things to list here. We are very grateful for everything, including a ton of new and adorable clothes!
We praise God for sending His son, Jesus Christ, to this Earth and giving us such an amazing thing to celebrate every year! And of course we cannot send enough praises of gratitude for sending us two amazing children to help us celebrate. They truly are the 'Perfect Little Presents.' We are so blessed.
