Merry Christmas

Christmas 2009: We were blessed to have both Grandma Smith and Grandma & Grandpa Balts here to visit us for Christmas. This also means we were overwhelmed with gifts. As you can see there were a lot and there were some piled behind and under the tree that you can't see.



Although Ellie was sooo excited that she was finally able to open her presents, she still slept in until 8:30. No early Christmas mornings for us just yet. But first, before we open presents, we start with some cinnamon rolls that daddy makes. (We need to get good and hyped up on sugar first =) )

All in our PJ's ready to go!

If you can see in the picture, Tim put one of my gifts in a Eggo waffle box. When I started unwrapping the gift Ellie said "Look mommy, Dad got you something that is not gluten free." So cute. Thanks Ellie for looking out for mommy.

The boys wanted to touch everything. They didn't realize that they could open them, they just wanted to touch it all.

Zander loves shoes. He is holding up a pair of shoes that Grandma & Grandpa Balts bought for them. The boys wear them everyday.

We got Zander a dinosaur and he immediately wanted to play with it. He didn't realize there were more presents for him. He was content to just play with that one.

Grandma Smith got the boys a wagon for Christmas/birthday. Ellie was excited because she knew what it was. The boys were excited once it was put together and they got to ride in it.

Here is Connor sitting among all the piles of wrapping paper and boxes.

This is what Santa brought for Ellie. Barbie make-up. By the end of the day she had orange eyeshadow with glitter on and purple glitter on her cheeks and hot pink lipstick.

opening the stockings

Boys playing with one of their presents. Grandma Smith got them this blow up thing with 50 balls in it (that they love to throw everywhere). They have so much fun on this!

Riding in the wagon. Grandpa Balts took them out for a ride after he put the wagon together.

Live Nativity

We went to a live nativity that told the story with singing. They had live animals and the kids were able to pet them and walk around the nativity before it started. It was fun, but really cold. The church had hot chocolate and hot apple cider to help us stay warm during the performance. It was really good.

Tim put Connor in the manger. He was a little confused as to what was going on.

The set was really cool. It had angels that were all around.

Billy Graham Library

Last year we took Ellie to the live nativity at the Billy Graham Library and she really liked it. She asked if we could go back this year so I took the kids. Last year we were not able to do the carriage ride, so this year we made sure we had enough time to do that. She had a lot of fun.

Can you tell that Ellie was excited to go on a carriage ride? She kept saying that she was a princess.

Connor was afraid of the carriage ride.

Zander had fun on the ride. I was surprised. I thought Zander would be the one to be afraid, but he wasn't.

After the carriage ride, we picked up dad from work and went to Northlake to see Santa. They have it set up like the movie "Polar Express" and since that is one of Ellie's favorite movies, she loved it.

Connor was afraid of Santa and cried, but Zander did ok, and Ellie was really excited. She told Santa she wanted real wings so she could fly, and Barbie make-up (just in case she couldn't get the real wings).

Sugarplum Boutique

Sugarplum Boutique is helping us raise money for our adoption. How you may ask? On December 13-15, all you have to do is buy some really cute hair bows/barretts or hats and mention our name and she will give us part of the money, with the other half going to other orphan charities. This is a wonderful site that supports different orphan causes and helps people who are adopting. Just click on the Sugarplum Boutique box on the side (which will lead you to her etsy site) or go to http://www.sugarplumorphans.etsy.com/
Happy shopping =)

Pictures

This was my first attempt to get a picture for Christmas cards. As you can tell, it was not very successful. The boys do not want to be still long enough for a picture and I end up chasing after them with the camera, hoping to get a good shot. I guess I need to call in the professionals.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree...where are you?

Every year we head to the mountains to get our trees the day after Thanksgiving. It was sooooo cold this year. It was so cold because it was so windy. But, we were successful and we got our trees. Yes people, it is plural. We have 3 live trees and we have 1 fake tree. That's right. 4 trees!! Love it! Can you tell Christmas is my favorite time of the year?! Celebrating the birth of our Saviour...what could be better!

Ellie loves riding the horse at the tree farm

All the kids took turns hugging the tree. Poor Zander was right next to the tree when Tim cut the string. It scared him so much that he stays away from the trees now that they are decorated.

Tree in the playroom (the fake one)Dinning room



Family room





Ellie's tree