Christmas Day

This year we stayed home for Christmas. (Even though we missed our families terribly... :( and at moments felt twinges of homesickness creep in.) It was so nice to be a little family for Christmas! This is the very first time that we have had a Christmas just by ourselves, in our own home. All other years since Sean and I have been married, Christmas has been at either another family member's house, or we have had family stay with us here. Although all years have been fun and enjoyable, there was definitely something different and special about this year.

Our Christmas morning started off with the pitter patter of Noah running into our bedroom. He came to my side, climbed up into bed with Sean and I, and just cuddled for a short while. Ian was still asleep, so I decided to take advantage of the opportunity and we went downstairs to make Christmas breakfast. Every year growing up as a child my mother always made Maple Oven Pancakes! They are a true favorite and I loved being able to make them for my boys to carry on the tradition. When breakfast was finished cooking and out of the oven, Ian still wasn't awake?!? So as I served us breakfast Sean went and woke him up. He was so excited for it to be Christmas morning! What a little trooper he was for coming to the table right away to eat breakfast first before opening any presents.

After we were done eating we headed to the front room to open all our Christmas Treasures! There were presents of plenty under the tree! In fact there may have been too many. Although both boys were super excited about getting presents and fully enjoyed opening them, it took them quite awhile to finish! It seemed after every present opened, they wanted to stop opening, and play with what they had just received. Which was fine with us! It was so cute to see the little twinkle of joy in their eyes and the glee in their faces as each present was opened! The day was so laid back and relaxing, it was a delight to have the time to go at boy's pace.

We didn't take a whole lot of pictures, we were too busy basking in Christmas merriment! But here are a few...

Opening stockings...

A few of the presents... Ian got several Transformers! Megatron(shown), and a smaller Bumble Bee from Sean & I, and from Santa...Optimus Prime!!! Just what he asked Santa for! He was ecstatic! We weren't sure if Noah would completely understand opening presents...but after the first few, he caught on quick! I love the next few pictures of him opening his Buzz Lightyear!

He did an awesome job at unwrapping all by himself!Noah was equally ecstatic to get Toy Story toys! Sean & I got him Rex and Buzz Lightyear, and from Santa he got Zurg! He loves Toy Story. He already had Woody and Bullseye kind of as a hand-me-down from Ian. It has been so fun watching him gather and try to carry his whole gang around! It is the cutest listening to him try to say, "To Infinitey and Beyond!" It comes out mostly as vowels..."Ooo, Eee, On".

There were a heap of more presents... and in the end we were all tuckered out from a load of unwrapping and a fun day of playing together! Thank you Grandma & Grandpa Haynes, Grandma & Grandpa Morgan, Great Grandma Morgan, Jennifer & John, Kevin & John, Grant & Linh, and Brian & Aly for all that you sent! It was sad to be so far away on Christmas, but all of your love was truly felt!

Throughout the day we enjoyed phone calls with family members. (I got to talk to 3 of my 4 brothers all at once! What a treat!!!) Later, in the evening we enjoyed a delectable ham dinner. It was a splendid day. It was pure bliss spending time as a little family and chatting with those who we love most!

Merry Christmas to all of our family, friends, and loved ones! We hope that Christmas found you filled equally with joy, love, and the true Spirit of Christmas.