Christmas

Christmas is always a little extra special the years you have a little baby.  It makes the story of Christ's birth a little more real, and closer to our hearts, and I've been so grateful for that opportunity in my life.  We spent Christmas Eve at Nana's house, and enjoyed dinner and reading the Christmas story together.  Then we went home, set up some luminaries on our driveway, opened up some new jammies, said goodbye to Criddle, and set out cookies for Santa.  I love the spirit we feel on Christmas Eve as we remember Christ's birth.  It is beautiful and magical.  And I love the stillness of everything before we go to bed... I always have to take pictures of Christmas waiting for the kids... it freezes that quiet stillness for me, and is one of my favorite moments of Christmas.

When the kids woke up, they were so excited to get downstairs...and of course I made them wait for a picture.  I love that you can just see the excitement in their eyes.

Sydney was so excited to see that she got her American Girl doll!

We helped the kids shop and buy presents for each other.  Sydney got Cooper a Captain America and Spiderman, and was too excited to let Cooper open the box by himself.

And Cooper got Sydney some doll stuff for her favorite doll, Lizzy.  It was so fun for me to walk down the toy isles with each kid and have them really think about what the other would like...

One day in December Cooper was asleep and Sydney wanted to make him something.  She got out scissors, glue, paper, and found some cotton balls, and she made this "Simba" for Cooper.  Then she went downstairs and got a bag to wrap it in, and made her own card and glued it to the bag.  It was the most thoughtful present I've ever seen in my life.  She knew Cooper loves Simba, and really wanted to make him something special.  When he opened it, he loved it, and I was able to catch this picture... I just love Sydney standing in the background, so happy that her brother loves her gift that she put so much thought and work into.  It was a defining moment for me as a parent, to see Sydney more excited about that little piece of paper that she made for her brother than she was about the American Girl Doll she got from Santa.  We truly do find more joy in giving than in receiving!

Sydney and Cooper picked out these toys for Ruby, and even named them for her... they are named Sydney and Cooper!

Matt spoiled me and got me a new lens and flash for my camera... so when we went to my parents house for breakfast I took some pictures and had some fun with it...

Of course the highlight of the day was skyping with Brett!  Skype is so great.  I just love gathering together on the couch and all being together... it makes it feel like we are all just hanging out.  He looks so good, and is doing great!