A Proper Christmas Post

I've finally been able to upload the Christmas pictures that for some strange reason were giving me difficulty.   I had a few brief moments of panic, thinking that I wouldn't ever get them onto the computer. 

We had a nice Christmas.  I thought it was going to be low key but does it ever really turn out that way?  Christmas Eve was different this year.  The weather was yucky, Earl was working and we had no plans until 7pm.  The kids and I declared pj day and cuddled under blankets until late afternoon watching movies.   That evening we enjoyed Christmas Eve service with my mom and our wonderful friends.   

 After church it was back into pajamas and off to bed.  But not until we put out our cookies for Santa and some well deserved carrots for the reindeer.

 I was able to get a quick picture after Santa made his drop and before the kids descended on the loot.

 Kinley had a blast opening every single one of her gifts.  The year they are three years old is one of my my most favorite Christmas's.   It is so magical for them.

 McKenna and Cooper both received ipad mini's which came as a huge surprise.   McKenna has been making lots of stop motion movies using hers and Cooper loves the games he was able to get with the bazillion itunes cards people got him for Christmas! 

 We always open stockings last and I always torture them with a few pictures.  This one is a little dark but its the best one of the bunch!

After breakfast with Mimi and Pappy, we put toys together (not many this year), talked to the lovely people at Apple, talked to Grammy Musial, and rested a little in preparation for the rest of the days events with Mimi, Pappy, Shane, Tighe, Kyle, Cady and Blake!   We were blessed with a wonderful Christmas filled to the brim with family and friends.  
So there you have it, better late than never, a proper Christmas post!

    

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

It's beginning to seem a lot like Christmas around here.  

Today was Kinley's very first pajama day at school.  To say she was excited is putting it mildly.    She was very excited to give her teachers their special Christmas cards and watch a movie with her friends.

Santa's videos arrived this morning.  There was one Mowry who was not sure if he was going to make it on the nice list.  Lucky for him, Santa is a forgiving soul and it appears as though everyone will receive a present and not coal this year. 

Getting down to the real reason for the season, we attended a birthday party for Jesus at church on Sunday.   Kinley was extremely confused and told more than one person that we were going to heaven for the party.   She even asked if she could pet Tucker when we got there.   I'm not sure we ever quite cleared things up with her regarding why Jesus didn't attend his own party.  However we were successful in distracting her with activities and fun!

The girls got together to exchange their homemade gifts on Sunday afternoon.  McKenna worked hard making Siena and Kara these canvas's with scripture on them.   The girls loved them.  We are very happy that they have been attending church for the first time ever. 

I am realizing that these pictures are all out of order.  At any rate, I had to include this picture of the kids dressed for church on Sunday morning.  

Last, but certainly not least, we hosted the Richard family Christmas party on Saturday.   I can't help but imagine that mini and pappy were smiling down sweetly seeing all of their great grandchildren together.   This is one of my favorite days of the year and I was so grateful to host this year.    There was a lot of food and tons of laughs, a couple of presents and a load of love. 

So, now we prepare for the big day.   The kids are so very excited for Santa and I am so very excited to see the wonder in their eyes on Christmas morning.   Such a special time of year to remember that little baby born in a manger who gives us so much hope.