Christmas 2009

Christmas was so much fun this year.

A few days before Christmas

I pulled out Hayden's Christmas tutus from last year.

Thankfully they still fit.

And she looked so cute in them.

Once she had that tutu on she didn't want it off,

and she wore it for the next two days.

Helping Daddy clean the house before Christmas.

Christmas Eve has traditionally been the big celebration day in our family.

We still open presents on Christmas Day morning,

but all the fun festivities take place on Christmas Eve.

So this year we started off Christmas Eve by building a gingerbread train.

Ryan would completely frost each piece of gingerbread,

then lay it out for Hayden to add candy to it.

Believe it or not, some of the candy DID actually make it onto the train.

Here is the finished product.

We spent the entire day,

watching Christmas movies,

reading Christmas stories,

and of course making and eating Christmas goodies.

We sat down for our Christmas dinner

(Bacon wrapped pork loin, funeral potatoes, homemade rolls,

steamed veggies and my attempt at Jell-o.)

Hayden loved it all, even my runny Jell-o

After dinner (and a bath), we brought down the kiddos

and let them open a Christmas Eve present.

Which turned out to be some new jammies and slippers!

(Who knew.)

Hayden and Carter showing off their new threads.

The approving "thumbs up" from Hayden.

Followed by a dip and a kiss.

We all snuggled up on the couch and watched Polar Express.

Hayden only made it about 20min.

before she was too tired and had to go to bed.

We finished the movie and enjoyed some delicious Christmas dessert.

and headed to bed ourselves.

Looking at our living room Christmas morning,

I was so excited for Hayden to come down

and experience the magic.

Here she is waiting to come downstairs.

I brought her downstairs,

and then my most favorite Christmas moment happened.

She looked out in ahh at all of the glistening bows,

presents and new toys that filled the room.

As her eyes scanned the room she noticed

her baby brother sitting in his chair.

She jumped out of my arms, ran past all the presents,

and gave Carter a big hug and kiss on the head.

Once she gave him his binki and made sure he was okay,

she ran back over to the presents to see what awaited her.

She was completely spoiled this year.

She got a shopping cart filled with play food.

(she had to taste each piece as she took it out.)

A new fleece blanket from Grandma Hunt.

A new hat and plenty of new clothes.

Many new stuffed animals, blocks, stacking toys, jungle animal clickers, a tea set, a new apron, a sled, and some new books and movies.

See . . . totally spoiled . . . but how can you say no to this face?

Here is the Christmas aftermath.

This sweet little guy slept though the whole thing.

After a while Hayden got all bundled up to try out her new sled.

Daddy pulled her all around the neighborhood,

and despite the freezing cold,

she loved every minute of it!

At the close of the day, we joined some friends for a wonderful Christmas Day dinner.

Though we wish we could have been with our families,

we had a really great day.

And it made me even more thankful for our little family,

and for the wonderful friends that we have.