Christmas Day

Christmas Day was jammed packed! The kids got up and we brought them into the living room for them to see what Santa had left them. But before they could open up any gifts they had to put their gifts to Jesus on the tree. We got two new ornaments for the tree. One was of the nativity scene and the second was a beautiful white snowflake style that had the words peace woven into the mix. Cooper and Caddie were able to put them on the tree as a reminder that this is about Jesus and not just getting gifts. We then went to the pile of gifts for the kids. They had a blast opening and giving gifts to each other then playing with what they opened.

From there we had breakfast and it was time to get ready for dinner. Dinner was so yummy and our birthday cake for Jesus was the perfect ending.

Santa left a note, ate all his cookies, and filled the kids stockings. Cooper and Caddie really got into the fun this year and we had a great time watching them get so excited! It was a great Christmas and would have only been better if the Bears would have won! :)

Christmas Eve

Opening one gift before bed


Making sure we had our reindeer food out!

Cookies for Santa!! With help from Grandma J

Would not be Christmas Eve without the reading of "The Night Before Christmas"

We were lucky enough this year to have some family come into town for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! Grandma J, Robert, and Uncle Phil came in for all the fun!

I had so much planned as this is the first year that Cooper was really getting into the Holiday! We made cookies for Santa and put them out, we put out our reindeer food, and the kids got to open up one gift (Christmas PJ's).

My brother was able to get into the fun too by heading outside to be Santa for the kids. I am so glad that I was able to get this on video. Cooper was so excited and headed straight to bed.

After the kids were out I was able to take my brother out for a little night cap and showed him the town with Rob for a little! We got home really late but were able to get the house all ready for the kid's!!!!

A visit from a good friend

As long as I can remember my friend Melanie has been a part of my life. In fact she is the friend that I can talk to and pick up where we left off months before! So when she called to tell me that her family was coming to Orlando to go to Disney and wanted to stay the night I was thrilled! She had seen Cooper but we had both had another child from our last visit together so it was even more special to see her.

The kids had a blast together and it was great to see our two youngest interact! I loved seeing her and her family and feel so blessed that she took the time to make a pit stop to see us!

Christmas at Sea World

This year Grandma Kathy and PaPa got our family a season pass to Sea World! This was the perfect gift for our family as it did not take up room in the house and gives us a reason to get out of the house :) The best part about it is that we were able to enjoy this holiday as well as next year's season!

The kids had a blast looking at all the fish and watching all the shows. In fact we were shocked how much we were able to push them. We went all day till about 4pm got the kids in the car where they passed out for an hour, then went right back in to see the light shows.

It was a great day and we cannot wait to take them back multiple times this year! There is so much more that we need to see.

Thanks Gma and Papa for the great gift!!!!