Christmas Day, 2011

I have several blog posts to post, so make sure to keep scrolling down to see Holton's 11 month photos in the post before this one.

Christmas was truly magical this year - especially getting to see it through the eyes of a 2 1/2 year old and almost 1 year old.

We spent Christmas morning with just the four of us, and then went to Mimi and T-Pa's for brunch and Christmas dinner and lots of fun family time with them, Brent, Erika, Harper, Amy, Clay, Faith, Isaac, Eve, Eli, Beth, and Jarod.

On Christmas morning, the kids got to open their Heiffer gifts - Goats!  We are trying to focus on Christmas being about giving, so we are continuing the annual tradition of making a donation in their names and teaching them about it.

Holton ready for his FIRST Christmas and some Christmas breakfast!

And birthday cupcakes for Jesus' birthday!

Stockings...

Not exactly sure what he's supposed to be doing... 

But she knows what to do...

One of the favorite gifts this year - colored scarves for playing with and dancing to music, just like they have at music school.

And also, name puzzles (thanks Erika for inspiring this one!)

And the ultimate - the "black jingle bells" Addy requested from Santa!

The wrapping and tissue papers were the best part for Holton!

Post-present bliss... even for Ringo!

Cool new drinking straw glasses!

Then after the kids' breakfast, we moved on to Jim and Kathy's...

All the kids opened gifts in the afternoon so they would have time to play and enjoy their new things.

Addy took great pride in helping to pass out the gifts...

Holton got a chef's hat, and Addy and Harper got aprons from Mimi

Addy wore her apron all day...  She also loved playing with her new bubble gun!

Addy and Holton received matching folding chairs personalized with their names from Brent and Erika...

Christmas outfits!

See some of Addy's handmade ornaments already adorning our tree?

Mimi and T-Pa gave Holton an adorable wooden train that spells his name...

And Beth and Jarod gave the kids this "ball pool" - it's been a huge hit - playing in the pool, rolling/throwing balls, organizing balls by color (Adelyn), chewing on the balls (Holton), etc...

We were so blessed this Christmas - mostly to be surrounded by loving family in warm homes with yummy food and lots of Christmas cheer. Seeing Christmas through my children's eyes gets more and more amazing each year.