White Christmas

I'd like to say we woke up to a White Christmas.  We didn't.  But, my family in Front Royal did. And, since we spent most of the day there, we had a White Christmas, too!

One of the prettiest drives we've ever had on I-66!

Granny's snow sprinkled manger scene

Rewind to Christmas morning at our house: (wet, but no snow)

Anabella woke up at 6 am.  A little early, but she usually does get up between 6-6:30am.  She was very excited about it being Christmas, and while I headed downstairs to start the coffee, she waited upstairs for Daddy yelling from the top of the stairs, 

"Daddy, Daniel, it's Christmas!" 

"Daddy, Daniel, presents!"  

It was loud enough to rouse her Daddy (who was already up) and Solomon and Shilee but not Daniel.  Even when we opened his door, it was clear he was still dreaming of sugar plums, so we let him continue his slumber. It was only 6am.

Anabella was fine with not opening gifts until Daniel got up, but she did take a bounce or two on her hopper, which wasn't wrapped.

And, she helped Solomon and Shilee with their stockings.

Solomon: Definitely worth getting out of bed at 6am.

Shilee:  I agree.  Nice of Santa to remember us this year. 

Anabella was happy to help Mommy and Daddy open their gifts.
She especially enjoyed the calendar filled with pictures of her and Daniel!

Right about 6:45, Daniel joined us downstairs, and we opened gifts.

The last two years Christmas morning felt rushed, so I don't know if it was getting up earlier, or the fact that I've learned a little about how to prepare ahead of time or maybe it's that the kids are older and can do more themselves, or maybe it's that we were home Christmas Eve; but, whatever the reason, this year Christmas morning at our house seemed much more relaxed.  We opened all of our gifts and even managed a little play time and light breakfast before we had to leave for our next destination.  

And, we were the first family to arrive at Granny's house!

Always my number 1 priority as a kid.

It's been YEARS since it's happened, so it was nostalgic, and coupled with the snow, made for a super special Merry Christmas morning!

Beth ordered this Warren-Opoly game as a fundraiser for the United Way.
I got one for Granny and Dad.  
Front Royal is in Warren County, and this Warren-opoly is filled with 
Warren County landmarks! Granny's highway- Stonewall Jackson Hwy.- is one of them!

My cousinTate made Granny a personalized book a few years back called
My Grandma is Special.  Anabella asked her Maw to read it to her.

Aunt Allie and the boys were the next to arrive.

Anabella got a Minnie Mouse dress up doll and carrying case.
Daniel accidentally opened Caleb's present the first time around (in this picture).
Granny tagged it wrong, so I rewrapped it for Caleb and Daniel got to open 2 presents!

Daniel got a True Heroes dress up set.
He loves dress up and will often put a throw around him and pretend it is a cape and he is Batman!
Now he has a "real" dress up set.
He especially likes the eye patch and pretending he's a pirate!

I must have been rewrapping when Hayden and Ryan opened their gifts, but I do like this picture of Hayden engrossed in playing a game on his new phone. 

Granny stirring her infamous oyster stew, while putting hashbrowns on the griddle.
Someone put down the camera and give her a hand!

Ryan supervised Uncle Jeff as he carved the ham 

As I finished breakfast, Anabella grabbed my hand and said, "Want to go see Hadley with me?" What she meant was, "Will you get Hadley from Uncle Jeff so she can sit on my lap
and I can kiss her." Hadley doesn't look too enthused, but she tolerates Anabella very nicely. I think she knows how much Anabella loves her; can't wait 'til their old enough to play together! 

After spending the rest of the morning at Granny's, we left for Mom and Dad's around noon.  12:30 by the time the kids gave everyone Merry Christmas kisses and hugs. Since we hadn't seen the family the night before at our traditional Christmas Eve party, it made it hard to leave.  Plus, Greg, Julie and Tate were just arriving as we were leaving, and they had gifts for the kids.

Still a White Christmas....and a beautiful drive to Mom and Dad's.

When you have a little guy as active as this one, you have to be clever
with how you get your pictures!
(fighting back his smile- that booger!)  

This little gal was worn out from her 6am wake-up!

Wait a minute, we picked up an extra kid!!
An awfully cute one.
We'll keep him.  :) 

Mommy and Daddy opened their gifts first Christmas morning, and Maw and Dee opened their gifts first at their house. Hey, I like this arrangement!

Anabella was proud to give her magnets.

And, she was proud to show Maw her painting- she was sure to let her
know that the green one was Daniel's.

Daniel took a short break from playing with toys to help Dee with his gifts.

Anabella opening her princess from Aunt Allie and the boys.

Daniel opening his sword and Nerf gun from Aunt Allie and the boys.

Anabella opening her first jewelry box- with a twirling princess on top just like Mommy
used to have!

And, of course, every jewelry box comes with a jewel- a pretty
pink butterfly necklace, which she wore on New Year's Day! 

Daniel opening his remote control car!

For his "big" gift, Daniel got a work bench,

Anabella got a doll house.

Daniel loves anything football and Nike or Adidas. 2 years old and
he recognizes brand names.  Oh boy.  He got a Steelers athletic suit
and a Nike one.  He immediately wanted to try on his new pants!

Once all the presents were opened, Anabella propped herself up under the tree!

Merry Christmas!

Aunt Cindy arrived seeking kisses and hugs!

And passing out gifts, of course.
They got their first Build a Bear- Daniel's bear was wearing Spiderman PJs;
Anabella's bear was wearing Hello Kitty PJs; they are so soft and snuggly; they love them!
And, they love their new books, too!
Thank you, Aunt Cindy! 

Granddad Bull was there, too, but Grandma had to stay at Lynn Care (nursing home) since she was sick. She was feeling better and planning to attend until she got sick.  Donald (Dad's brother) and his wife Lisa and their daughter Liza came with her boyfriend.  We had another big meal (following our big meal only 3 hours before), and then we packed up the van to head back home to spend Christmas evening with MaMa and PaPa. 

Asleep before we made it to the interstate.

Back home, we were greeted by MaMa and PaPa (and Solomon and Shilee)! We ate another big meal, and then opened more presents!

 Daniel got a CARS car mat and Anabella got a Baby Alive, who is a doctor.  And, our family got season tickets to Busch Gardens! Two year passes which include Water Country and the Sesame Street attraction in PA. Free parking, too.  And discounted food. Woohoo!

Daniel modeling Daddy's Steelers shirt!

Anabella using her baby's stethoscope to check out PaPa.

And, while there was no snow on the ground when we went to bed, we were all too tired to know anyway! We enjoyed our White Christmas, and we're happy to spend it with all the treasured people in our lives.  And, who knows what the next day may hold....we could wake up to snow?! 

Stay tuned....and return back for videos of Christmas morning at our house, which I hope to get uploaded before....next Christmas!