Christmas Morning Part I

Well we woke up from our Christmas sleepover quite early. (Aaron had to work today so he had to be there by 8:45) We promptly decided that would have to be the last sleepover. I snore, unfortunately very loudly. Georgia and I coughed all night. Derek talks very loudly, some in words that you could understand but didn't make sense, some would be compared to speaking in tongues. Aaron arrived home late because he was in the late night Christmas eve service. So, he tried to fall asleep long after we had begun our noises. He couldn't take it so he went and slept on the couch.:(.

We began to open up the gifts under the tree and in our stockings! The excitement was intense to say the least. Our biggest gift as a family, that we have saved for is a ski trip in January! The gifts we opened this morning were small gifts that expressed our thoughtfulness of one another. I think JD's favorite was a Clone trooper helmet with a voice changer, Georgia's was her skinny jeans and new hot pink headphones. Derek loved his Marshall sweatshirt, pj pants and house slippers that he insisted on wearing them the whole day. Ya, we let him. Aaron's biggest gift is a therapeutic pillow. Mine was my painted kitchen that I can't stop staring at:). I loved the perfume aaron gets me every year. My Mary Kay consultant has my wish list and calls him to share my wish list and she takes care of it:)

We enjoyed our first ever Christmas morning completely by ourselves. It was very different and somewhat quiet. I cherished every moment of it!

Twas the Night Before Christmas....

We spent the day with Tim and Chris (aaron's parents). We had lunch together using my china! I have been dying to use that! After our bellies were full we enjoyed some games, naps, and lots of visiting. Next, we headed out to our candlelight service at church. It was so beautiful and really was a focus on the true meaning of Christmas. I gift to us by God. He was here in the flesh! - partly I needed to supervise the handling of the candles with my pyromaniac children....

Then it was time to get in pj's, drink hot coco, and sitting by the fire. Aaron read "Twas the Night Before Christmas". We quickly made our pallets in our room. A tradition we love is to have a sleepover all together in our room. Partly because when they were younger, the controlling Mrs. Claus that I am, wanted to be sure there was noooo peaking.

We stayed up late to prepare for the morning surprises. I love this night!!!!
Amy

Christmas Eve-Eve

Merry Christmas Eve Eve!!! Christmas is here and it is time to get ready. Finish the shopping for gifts and food. Prepare the house for guests! Prepare our hearts for the worship of the King of Kings!!!

I have a special guest on my blog today. He is the mostly jolly, Christmas boy I know. He is truely happy about EVERYTHING in Christmas!


Tonight we ended the day by sitting by the fire I prepared (J.D.)and watched " How the Grinch Stole Christmas"! This was the best Christmas Eve Eve ever!!

Thank you JD! He looked completely happy and content sitting so proudly next to the fire he prepared! While JD, Derek and I went shopping, Aaron and Georgia spent the day baking. Every year he joyfully bakes the most delicious pies-completely homemade right down to the crust!- and his homemade spritz cookies( that could only be prepared by a cookie press that is 100 years old...)They were done and waiting for us to taste when we came in the door. This is the best!!

Now to wash my china, bake the turkey, prepare the food, clean up the house.....I could go on and on. Sorry, my holidays are not the same unless I put everything off untill the last minute. Just the way I am:)

Merry Christmas Eve Eve,

Amy and JD

Well, after several attempts to get the donated harness on Carly,we finally got it on her! She is usually very patient with all the outfits Georgia has put on her. She has done her hair and dressed her up.( I can't find her pictures of that.) The Mieslers so generously donated the harness and leash. We tried to put it on her. First of all, she is a long haired guinea pig so it was hard to figure out how exactly to do it without pulling her hair. She refused and bit them. We had finally given up. However, Ian came over and saved the day! He got it on her. She looked like she felt very humiliated. She refused to move. Derek tried to move her and she stayed put. It took about 20 minutes before she even considered taking a few steps. Our plan is to have her wear it with out the leash so she can get used to how it feels and then work slowly toward walking with her. She is patient most of the time. We will see...:)