Life as it comes...: The most wonderful time of year

What a wonderful Christmas we had this year! Our christmas started on Monday night, the night before Christmas eve. Kyle and I decided this year that we were going to do one full day with one family, and one full day with the other. This year happened to be the Hancock's year for Christmas Eve, and so, for the first time in my life, I would not be going with my family to Knott's Berry Farm to get pictures with Santa. I told Kyle that it was so important for me to get that picture, because I have these pictures dating back to my first Christmas as a baby, and I love to see the family change every year. Now that I have my own family, the memories are more important than ever. So we decided to go, just the four of us, the night before Christmas Eve. It was a really fun night. It was nice to do something just the four of us. Oh, our picture turned out awful...but, I am still so grateful to have it for the memories.
Christmas eve was really fun. We woke up early to meet the Hancock family at breakfast at 8 am. Who eats that early? Just kidding. We really wanted to be able to spend the whole day with them, so I am glad we got such an early start. After breakfast we went back to their house to spend time together before heading up the hill to the Radmall Christmas Eve party. Our kids, and lets be honest...the adults too, had a great time building gingerbread houses. Grayson was so excited for the new power wheels jeep that he and Emma Jo got from Papa Brad and G.J.. We had a great time with the whole Radmall side that night, and were able to just enjoy time together as a family.
We were all so excited to Christmas morning to come. There is nothing quite like having kids and being so excited for them to wake up to what Santa brought them. This year we were really excited because Santa Clause brought Grayson and Emma Jo a bounce house. We could hardly wait for the kids to get up! Grayson loved it...Emma Jo, not so much. But I am sure she will when she gets a little bigger, and is able to contend with her brother.
Christmas morning is a big tradition in my family. Every year, since I can remember, we have spent the night at my Oma's house and woke up early together to open presents. I would say that this is my most favorite tradition. I love waking up with everybody, and being able to share the excitement with my whole family. This year was no different. It was such a wonderful morning. There were dozens of presents, and it was so fun to watch everyone open everything. I personally love watching my family open the presents I got for them. That is my favorite part. I spend so much time thinking about what to get each of them, and it is so rewarding to see them open it up and be excited for it. This year my big present to Kyle was a shotgun. I was so sneaky, he had NO idea, and that made it all the more fun. I was so, so excited to get a new camera, which prompted me to start blogging again, because I know I am going to take LOTS of pictures. My sweet husband got the Ugg boots that I have been so excited for too.
That night Oma put on an amazing Christmas dinner (another tradition...we have lots of traditions). Prime rib, twice baked potatoes, an amazing salad, cream corn, and homemade dinner rolls. Mmmm...mmm! It was delicious! We all exchanged presents again that night for those who were not there Christmas morning. After mingling together as a family all night, we retired our two CRABBY kids to bed. They were absolutely worn out from all the fun, but it is so worth it. I love Christmas time. Until next year!