CHRISTmas 2012

This year was a special year for us with the kids being 1.5/3.5 years old, it was a joy to see the magic of Christmas come back alive.  As adults, we often forget the magic of this time of year and the way we used to believe in something.

The morning of Christmas eve was spent hanging out in pajamas and opening presents from Nana/Papa!  The kids were so funny as they tore into their gifts (yes, even Caelin has the hang of it now!) and yelled with excitement!  Cade got a large Transformer Thundercracker, Transformer Autobot Ark, Transformer Bulkhead, Candy, books, toy animals, hot wheels, and tons of other toys!  Caelin enjoyed her baby doll with stroller (we have named her baby Sophia because we think she looks like Mommy's friend Carolyn's baby!), monogrammed chair, piggy bank, books, quick dry nail polish, and so much more!  Even Baylor got a tug-o-war rope toy.  Mommy and Daddy were excited to get Pajamas, Starbucks/Lowes gift cards, and some seasonal spending money from Santa...so what should we buy??  After naptime, we all went to Gamee/Grampee's for more fun.  Uncle Corey was in town, so the whole family was there together for a short time.  We ate Jodell's Bean Soup recipe (yum yum), made a Gingerbread Train, prepared a snack to leave for Santa and his reindeer (yes, the word on the street is that Santa plans to come to our house AND Gamee/Grampee's!!), and read "T'was the Night Before Christmas".  T'was the Night Before Christmas is a tradition in the Hall Family that started many years ago when Gamee was young.  The tradition was kept alive and this year it was read by both Gamee and Grampee to Cade/Caelin.  Once the book was over, we loaded up in our pajamas and headed home so we could leave snacks for Santa, Jingle and the reindeer.  Then it was off to bed!

Christmas morning we awoke and ran to see if Santa had come!  Of course he came and brought lots of goodies for everyone.  Baylor was happy to be left alone with his bones and goodies while we watched Cade/Caelin open their gifts.  Caelin got a Dora toothbrush set, hot potato game, dolls, bubble bath and accessories, underwear, cotton candy, and lots of other snacks.  Cade was elated to see his Lego's, Lego men, transformers, toothbrush set and snacks also.  It was fun, and we were overjoyed that Santa came to visit us.  We then were able to spend a few minutes relaxing while Mommy/Daddy could have their coffee and the kids played.

After Santa, we packed up and went over to Gamee/Grampee's to see Uncle Christopher/Aunt Heather, Baby Andrew, and Uncle Corey.  This year was special as it was baby Andrew's 1st Christmas!  What an addition he is with his smile and facial expressions.  At first we thought our party would have to be moved as the storm (early morning rain and high winds) had caused Gamee/Grampee's electricity to go off.  We stuck it out though and made it through the day with the electricity going on/off.
We were all so excited to see that Santa had ALSO VISITED Gamee/Grampee's House.  What a surprise!  After getting more Santa gifts, we ate breakfast and then opened our gifts to each other.  I think the gift giving went on for hours, we are all so truly blessed.  Cade got more transformers, games, books, Radio Flyer "Big Flyer", construction worker dress up outfit, trucks, transformer underwear (can you tell we like Transformers?), Transformer movie, Baylor Bear shirt, Fly Guy books, Chalk and Goggles 3D set, hunting outfit (Cade immediately said, "so Daddy and I can hunt bears and deer"...yikes), wallet, and so much more!  Caelin was also blessed with a Disney Princess tent, doll/stroller, princess dress up outfit, Baylor Bear shirt, pink camo outfit, puzzles, Olivia book, purse, and more.  She definitely has the opening gifts down now and her face is priceless when she sees gifts inside.  I think our truck was full coming home...did I mention my kids are spoiled??!!  Charles and I also got many things that made us realized we are blessed also.  It seems like no matter how old we get, "Santa" finds us as well.  The list of gifts could go on forever, but I will leave it at saying that we are truly loved and cherish all our surprises.
Once it started getting dark outside, we attempted the last of the gift opening by candle light, but then Grampee saved the day with the generator and God said "let there be light!"

So, here it is after midnight and I think to myself what a wonderful day it has been.  Jesus' birth has changed so many lives and I love the fact that Cade knows we are opening gifts in honor of Jesus' BD.  He said a few times in the last few days, "Jesus is so special that we all get gifts on his BD to celebrate him...GO JESUS!"  To see life through the eyes of a 3 year old is life changing.  Tomorrow will be yet another fun day as we relax, clean house, and play with our toys all day.  From our house to yours, here's a prayer that your Christmas was as special as ours!  "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night..."