Christmas Eve and Day

On Christmas eve we started out the day by making cookies for Santa. Since we had just pulled into town the night before and had lots to accomplish that day we made easy cookies. No Bake Chocolate Cookies. I'm sure Santa didn't complain. 

We had two Christmas eve services that evening. Phillip was playing electric guitar for both the services and I was working childcare for one of the services so our afternoon was spent serving and celebrating our Lord.

After church we changed into our pajamas and had breakfast for dinner. Waffles, bacon, and eggs. Yum! We ate it picnic style in the living room while watching Christmas movies.

After our movies Ashlyn wrote a letter to Santa and the girls set out their cookies and milk. Aubrey has quite the sweet tooth and couldn't control her two year old urges and started shoving the cookies in her mouth. It made Ashlyn a teeny bit mad!

In Ashlyn's letter she asked for a Jessie doll (from Toy Story 2), said that Aubrey wanted a baby doll, Mommy wanted a new cup, and Daddy wanted a guitar pedal. Not sure how I ended up with the shaft!! A cup?

By the time everything was finished Aubrey was D.O.N.E. for the night. I insisted on getting our Christmas eve picture but she didn't want to take one. So here is our 2011 Christmas Eve picture and it makes me laugh so hard. The sweet four year old anxiously awaiting Christmas morning and the two year old who thinks the world revolves around them throwing a fit on the floor! Such sweet memories!

The girls woke up around their normal time, 7ish. Ashlyn woke up first and was surprised to find an art easel and all the goodies to go with it. It is a chalk board on one side, white board on the other, and a roll of paper can pull up top through the middle.

Aubrey got a baby doll carriage and a diaper bag with diapers and wipes. At first she was all bent out of shape because we wouldn't let her ride in it! The one Ashlyn had was on it's last leg because Ashlyn pushes Aubrey around the house. I'm sure Aubrey exceeds the weight limit.

After playing with their gifts from Santa and opening their stockings we had cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Phillip was playing guitar for the Christmas morning service so he headed to church while the girls played with their new toys and I got myself halfway ready for the morning. 

When Phillip returned home we opened our gifts to each other. Our desire is to teach our girls the real meaning of Christmas, Jesus birth. That is our main focus but we also want them to enjoy the childhood excitement of Santa and gifts. It's a fine line. So, we get them several nice gifts each but don't go overboard. 

The rain boots were a hit. Maybe matching boots weren't such a good plan. Aubrey can't tell them apart and often wears Ashlyn's. Ashlyn does not appreciate it when she goes to wear her's and finds too small boots in her closet. 

It is so special to have children of your own and to be able to watch their excitement and joy on Christmas morning!