Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas!

We've had such a wonderful Christmas! This is the first Christmas we've spent here in our home since we got married, since Eli was born, etc. It's been so special to start new family traditions, and most importantly, to spend this Christmas celebrating the birth of Christ with Danny's parents and grandparents. My husband has always gone out of his way to help me in whatever way possible, but he has truly given me some of the greatest gifts that money can't buy this Christmas. He has worked like crazy helping me clean, cook, assemble toys, set tables, and everything in between to help make this Christmas so special for us. We hosted Christmas morning breakfast at our house, and we had so much fun preparing for it together. We set the table with our fine china (that we've never even used before!), and cooked up a delicious feast! I know without a doubt, that we will never forget this first Christmas in our house.
Me and my two babies on Christmas Eve! It's hard to believe that Layla will be turning 1 on her first Christmas next year! We had a wonderful service at church last night, followed by my mother-in-law's famous Italian Christmas Eve meal.
Our table set for Christmas morning.
We had so much fun playing Santa last night! This is really the first year that Eli's understood the whole concept of Santa, and he told us as he was coming down the stairs this morning that he heard Santa's sleigh last night. His big Santa present was a train table. He really never saw another thing in the room until we made him take a look around. He was so excited that he had a 'Thomas' table to call his own! His other big gift was a power wheels truck that my grandparents got for him. My grandfather has been absolutely itching to get him this truck since the day he was born! It took him a while to open his other gifts because he was busy playing trains and driving his truck in between :).


Pop Pop played LOTS of trains this morning!

A new bulldozer!
He and Goomba were in construction heaven together.
By the end of the morning, we were joking that we should have gotten a bulldozer for Goomba too!
He LOVED these wooden rescue vehicles that fit his new train set. Thanks Aunt Katie!
Nana and GG were so excited to get their new calendar and photo books! A tradition that I know they absolutely look forward to every year.


Layla's quilt made with lots of love and hours of labor by her Nana! I've been anxiously waiting to see the final product, and I love love love it!
Very full bellies after a Pioneer Woman's French Toast breakfast!
We were able to get a quick group shot before church, and I'm so glad we did!

Eli also got to try out his new ride before we left for church. The look on his face was PRICELESS when he figured out that he could actually drive it! For the first few hours we didn't have the battery plugged in because it was in the house. The secret is out now, and he's sold!
It's going to take some time before he really figures out how to work it. Like the whole 'take your foot off the pedal to avoid running into trees, and people, and parked cars' deal. Yeah, we need to work on that.
He was so proud of his truck just like daddy's!
We all spent the afternoon resting, and then had a wonderful Christmas dinner at Nana & Pop Pop's house. Pop Pop even had a fire going for us! I'm so thankful for the amazing memories made this Christmas. I'm thankful for the greatest gift of all, and we've loved sharing the true meaning of Christmas with Eli. Aside from all of the fun decorations and presents, we made sure to keep our focus on the birth of Christ. It was a wonderful 'Happy Birthday, Jesus' day!

2 comments:

  1. Is that a Jesse Tree advent calendar thingy hanging in your living room? I can't tell. If so, where did you get it. It is cute. Also, Layla's nursery is adorable.

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  2. Yes it is! And my mother-in-law made it for us. She is crazy talented and creative. We SO enjoyed getting to use it this year. Miss you guys!

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