Christmas morning came EARLY this year.
1:42am to be exact.
A few weeks ago I started wearing a gadget on my wrist called the Fitbit. It tracks steps and activity minutes, but when you are ready to go to sleep each night, you set it so it can track your sleep patterns. Anyways, my initial reaction when I wake up each morning, is to press a button on my Fitbit to let it know I am awake. When the boys came into our bedroom, I pressed my Fitbit and I was disturbed when the total sleeping time came up as 2 hrs and 2 minutes. Once I figured out what time it was, I closed my eyes and rolled back over in bed, In fact, I wouldn't open my eyes because I was so annoyed. Luke rolled over and said something to me and I told him to tell the boys to go back to bed. Of course Luke just couldn't wait for the kids to wake up anyways, so he reminded me, "....its only one day of the year."
With that I slowly made by descent out of bed. This was going to be quite a morning.
The kiddies went to bed early on Christmas Eve...by our standards. They were begging for melatonin so they could pass out. Very funny. I think they were all asleep before 10pm.
We really didn't have to assemble anything, like we did last year, so the Santa set up was pretty quick. Luke and I were in bed before 11:30pm. Woooo---hoo!
Mr. Elf on the Shelf even brought Barnes and Nobles Gift cards for the kids.
Apparently Bubba was the first one to wake up. Unlike previous years, it was Tubbs who was the earliest riser. Bubba woke up Tubbs and they headed out to the living room. Then they came in and woke up Luke. When Luke agreed we could all get up, the boys went and drug Wiggy out of her bed. By the time I made it out to the living room, there was Wiggy curled up on the couch asleep.
It was was tooooo early. Poor Wiggy-girl.
It took Wiggy a good 5-10 minutes to figure out what was going on and that it was Christmas morning. We all kept pointing out to her, the pile of goodies Santa left and eventually she started smiling.
Apparently since we are bad parents and didn't get Wiggy a dog, we all have to suffer with "Rosie," her Fur Real Monkey. That monkey is so creepy, but it's what Wiggy really wanted.
Santa brought Wiggy a Skylander Swap Force figurine of her own and Rapunzel for the Infinity game. (Tubbs was very jealous!)
Bubba got Tubbs two Legendary Skylanders he was wanting....
...and Tubbs got Bubba some Hobbit and Pokemon books he really wanted from Barnes and Nobles.
It was very sweet to see them hug so affectionately in appreciation.
The Mongoose scooter that Tubbs really wanted. He was slightly excited.
Opening their loaded stockings from Grandma and Grandpa Baer, who only rely on our pictures/videos to see the kids open their gifts. The kids were finding all sorts of trinkets and goodies. The harmonicas, body sprays, coal chocolates and the Jamba Juice GC's were the favorites.
(Now my kids smell good...as does their bathroom, since they use them as an air freshener too.) :)
Bubba's Swiss Army knife from dad.
Elsa...modeling her attire in the kitchen.
Santa brought Bubba a laptop and a basketball.
Santa brought Wiggy a little pink scooter with wheels that light up.
Mama's new friends.....
Tubbs got his Nintendo 2DS but I somehow didn't get a picture of that. :(
Around 5am we ate homemade cinnamon rolls, hot cocoa and turkey sausage bread. With a toasty fire going, Wiggy fell asleep on the couch around 7:15am. The boys were busy in the den, playing video games, so Luke and I took a nap in our bed. It was less than two hours, but better than nothing! Wiggy napped on the couch until close to 10:00am.
By 11am both the boys were crabby and starting to argue over the video game. We told the boys to lay down for naps. Bubba tried to fight it, but within a few minutes he was passed out and hanging over the edge of his bed. Nighty-night. Thankfully they both napped for a few hours too.
Merry Christmas to mom!
I took a 4 mile run around the neighborhood while the boys napped. After we all got cleaned up, Luke made dinner and had Luke's family came over. Luke grilled some tr-tip and chicken, as well as some buttermilk fried chicken. Grandma Hogue made mashed potatoes and gravy and Jenny made green beans. Somehow I didn't take any dinner pictures, like I normally try to. I was really looking forward to the Costco Apple pie..... MMMMMMMMMM!
Our big Christmas tree....after all the chaos was over!
Before bed we played one of our new board games....Fibber. It appears no one in the house is a good liar.
Another Christmas for the books.
I always feel so overwhelmed by this special day and our ability to provide so abundantly for those we love. We really tried hard this Christmas season to remind ourselves and the kids, why we celebrate CHRISTmas. A few weeks prior to Christmas, the kids and I went to Target to buy toys we could donate. One Sunday after church, we drove them over to the Jamison Center. It was a really a great thing and very emotional for me. Luke and I explained who lives at the Jamison center and what foster care is. We really are so blessed for our families and I am thankful my children are enjoying this special season with us. I really do enjoy GIVING gifts more than receiving. I enjoy the time picking out gifts for those I love and care about, hoping they will be surprised when they open it. Who doesn't love a good surprise?! :)
Merry Christmas to all of our friends and family! We love and appreciate you.....
