I almost forgot to recap a very important tradition. Every year Troy gives the kids a new ornament for the tree. This year we used one of the calendar days to allow them to open this gift early. I’m really surprised how much they love this tradition. After all it isn’t a toy they get to play with, it’s just something they look at after putting it on the tree. But every year they love looking at the ornaments they received from past years and get excited about the one for this year. Troy surely did not disappoint this year either. He wen the handmade route this year again by purchasing a troll for Brynna and making it into an ornament. Cohen loved his Pikachu and Sevea really enjoyed getting Mal from Descendants. I look forward to many years down the road when we have to think hard about what these characters are. It will definitely be nostalgic.
The time to open presents finally arrived and the kids were very excited. This year we decided to get everyone Christmas pajamas. So once we all got comfy it was time to get down to business. Next year I’ll have to remember to get a picture of us all together in our pajama's.
Pleased kids all around and even the big kids. Brynna loved the Peppa the Pig dollhouse that Grandma Appel got her. Cohen got new Imaginext toys that were a big hit…the remote power ranger Dragonzord was especially cool once he got those triple A batteries (parent fail on not checking the battery stash before Christmas) You would have thought the most excitement would have come from Troy in getting some liquor (you need that around the holidays ya know!) but we got THE best reaction out of Sevea when she got pajamas. Goes to show big expensive (or stupor inducing) gifts are not always the best.
But wait there is more, Santa came in the middle of the night. Not only did Santa come and fill stockings and deliver a present for each of them but he also wrote back to Sevea and Cohen. 5 days before Christmas Sevea and Cohen took it upon themselves to write Santa a letter. Well it actually wasn’t really a letter but a drawing. They asked for a stamp (which an address label was sufficient for them) and put their mail in the mailbox. They were hoping for Santa to draw something back for them. Of course Santa did that and more. He drew them a nice picture and then instructed them to go to the mailbox for another gift. Inside the mailbox was a Kids Bop 33 cd for all three to enjoy.
Christmas Day is all about fun from the moment you wake up. So after playing with our new stuff a little bit, it was time to get ready to go over to the Zimmer’s for lunch, more presents, and more fun. This year we not only had the Rotell’s who have joined us the fourth year now but the Witzel’s. We spent the night feasting on appetizers and enjoying each other’s company. The kids worked as a team to make some Gingerbread houses/train. A night is never complete without a little dance party but surely Sheriff Brynna kept the party under control.
And with that Christmas was over. It was a great holiday and we definitely were thankful for all of our blessings.
