merry merry

Christmas Eve we went to the candlelight service at church, my favorite tradition. Hannah wore a dress that I wore when I was 3. I let her stay in church with me the whole time. She was very well behaved, even when I got up to go help Daddy serve communion. Afterwards, we enjoyed Christmas cheer with friends before heading home. We sprinkled food outside for the reindeer and got the children all snug in their beds.

I forgot to get a family picture, either on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, but I do have a few from my phone of Hannah in the dress:

We watch a lot of Christmas movies all season long and one of our favorite traditions is watching The Nativity on Christmas Eve after the kids go to bed. Joe and I stayed up way too late doing the elves' work. Bernard went back to the North Pole, Santa came, and on Christmas morning, Hannah was eager to go to the playroom and see if Santa did in fact eat his cookies and drink his milk. He did. And left a letter! The little ones were surprised and excited to find a train in their playroom, too!

Hannah liked putting the track pieces together...

...and Joseph liked taking them apart.

After breakfast, we went into the living room to check out stockings and open presents.

I loved how determined Hannah was in emptying her stocking, making sure not one thing was left inside.

Hannah got fringed suede boots and a step stool for the bathroom, and Joseph got a giraffe neck pillow for the car, a GT hat and gloves, and a dustpan and brush (possible the most exciting present for him). Both got new pajamas and books, among other things. We were careful to not go overboard this year, and everyone was thrilled.

Hannah used the step stool as a stage and Joseph used the neck pillow as headphones. Hey, whatever makes them happy.

Uncle Ben and Aunt Katie, Uncle Will Will and Aunt Crystal brought the kiddos a car. Hannah was a tad overwhelmed and didn't really want to ride...

...but Joseph was a different story.

It was hilarious watching him. He LOVED it.

And though he couldn't reach the pedals, my siblings were eager to jump in to help!

We even tried to get Mollie to ride in the back. Palmer and Wilson, the boxers, did not know what to make of it.

At one point the little elf disappeared. Quiet is rarely good when it comes to Joseph.

{Someone accidentally left the child-lock off the cabinet doors.}

Meme brought a sack-load of presents for everyone. Hannah was beside herself with furniture for Bitty Baby's nursery:

We enjoyed a delicious Christmas dinner of smoked turkey, corn pudding, green bean casserole, rolls, and strawberry and spinach salad. Dessert consisted of a buffet of treats, both made for us and by us (Joe). Uncle Ben and Aunt Katie (and Wilson) headed back to Atlanta and Meme and Uncle Will Will spent the night. It was a wonderful day.

As for us and our "wish lists", I'd say we must've been good this year...