I love the tree in the early morning when it's full of small gifts and cards and the big boxes are sitting there all fat and impressive. There's so much anticipation!
Fat, bumpy stockings.
Early morning oatmeal with strawberries for my two little girls.
Look...but don't touch!
Hey! I said don't touch!
The kids sort through their stockings...
While Mark works on bacon and eggs.
Mathew takes his turn at the calendar. The star finally goes up!
A tube of pure chocolate joy. All to herself.
Even Anna knows that the contents are to be guarded.
Wrappers will be eaten if necessary.
Anna loves a good "Touch and Feel" book. She especially likes to lick anything furry.
Mathew will never disappoint when you need a good "I love it!" photo.
Ethan's collection of pegasus toys expands.
One of the favorite toys of the day: plastic fishing pole from the dollar store.
Large sunglasses....from the dollar store.
An "American Girl" doll! Not from the dollar store, but not from the American Girl store either! Hooray!
After presents and before I can scrape together enough energy to clean up the explosion in the living room.
Anna's future magnetic play area, to be mounted to a wall. Do you know how devastated I was to discover that stainless steal fridges are not magnetic? wah?
The "you'll get creative and share and play nice all together" gift (complete with LED tea lights to light the dungeon....ooooooh):
Our gift to each other: a framed photo of the Manti Temple. Married there over 12 years ago!
The wait is finally over.
Now we countdown to trash day.
Your family makes me happy!
ReplyDeleteIt's the hap - happiest day of the year!!! Thanks for letting a little mouse in the corner peek at the joy you shared!!! Each photograph is a book! And, I loved the way you wrote this blog - so creative!
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe how much Laney has grown up since you've been gone! Wow.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it took us 2 trash days to get everything cleaned up. Finally I can say it's all gone!