Santa came to our home a few days early this year. We will be packing up our boys this afternoon and driving to visit Zach's family for Christmas day/week, so we communicated our plan with the jolly old elf and he was able to drop by our house while out running a few last minute errands.
Yesterday (12.20.07) we baked cookies and last night we prepared for Santa's visit by setting out cookies and milk by the tree, hanging up our stockings and placing our special "Christmas key" just outside our front door. We don't have a chimney, so the key allows Santa to easily enter with all of the gifts in tow (wink, wink).
Before bedtime last night Zach read "'Twas the night before Christmas" to our three precious boys and then it was off bed where the Sugar plums and Jitter bugs seemed to both be dancing. The boys could hardly contain their excitement over the impending visit during the night.
Saint Nicholas did not disappoint! The scene above is what awaited our three little sleepyheads when they awoke on their first Christmas morning of 2007. And yes, they did get the bikes and balls they had carefully selected and placed on their lists they supplied for Santa when we visited him at his winter vacation home
(located inside the mall of Abilene).
These are a few pictures of our boys enjoying the unwrapping process of presents and stocking stuffers. Owen and Clay were sweet enough to help Will open his gifts. Children are truly so precious! I am convinced they each would have been perfectly content to see their brothers enjoy receiving and unwrapping gifts without being a bit concerned about their own desires.
Zach's sister told us the year we got married about a tradition she had seen where an older couple had taken a picture of themselves and their family in front of their Christmas tree on Christmas morning every year they had been married. So, Zach and I started that tradition on our first Christmas together, 7 1/2 years ago. Above you will see this years installment, to be framed and set out for many Christmases to come.
Merry (early) Christmas 2007!
My sweet mother-in-law buys the boys new Christmas pajamas every year. She also has purchased each of my boys a "baby's 1st Christmas" outfit. They are modeling these clothing items in the photos above. So cute, thanks to MaryKay!
Owen and Clay to entertain us with their antics. O, C & W are the only great-grandchildren on this side of the family so they enjoy their time in the lime light.
12.22.07-Next we enjoyed Christmas services together at Hillcrest church of Christ where Zach's parents attend.
12.23.07-Then we spent time with the paternal side of Zach's family. We shared a meal together at Zach's grandparents home in Hawley, TX. After the meal a few gifts are exchanged and pure chaos ensues. There are usually around 30 people who can come, though that is NOT all of the family members. 
O, C & W are 3 of 16 great-grandchildren on this side of the family, so they get to share the limelight at these gatherings. Though, I don't think they mind one bit!
12.24.07-Christmas eve wafted in with the sweet smell of homemade waffles and every scrumptious topping you could desire. All of which were prepared in part by Owen and Clay 
(with help from a few adults, of course). We savored our breakfast and then moved on to enjoy a family tradition, aptly named the "Christmas eve hunt". As the name suggests, we are sent on a scavenger hunt in search of clues which lead us to our Christmas eve gift. Each year there is a different twist. 
We have been blindfolded, tied together, etc. This year a separate "photo Christmas eve hunt" was 
designed for Owen and Clay. They truly enjoyed following their pictorial clues to find the hidden Christmas eve gifts awaiting them. And then this evening we had our first annual gingerbread house decorating contest, it was a blast! 
Each couple got to create a gingerbread masterpiece of their own design and we got so tickled at each other over our mock competitiveness and sense of design secretiveness. 
Even the kids got in on the action. Owen was particularly proud of his handmade creation. I think you can clearly see who the winner is! Right?!
I am blessed to have the opportunity to bathe Will in this particular sink. When we remodeled our first home I chose this sink to be installed. When we moved to our current home we brought the kitchen sink with us. So, I am pleased to have given all three of my sons their first bath in this very sink. Can something as silly as a sink bring you happiness? All I know is how I feel when I stand over that sink scrubbing yet another sprout and being filled with memories and joy.
Yesterday (12.20.07) we baked cookies and last night we prepared for Santa's visit by setting out cookies and milk by the tree, hanging up our stockings and placing our special "Christmas key" just outside our front door. We don't have a chimney, so the key allows Santa to easily enter with all of the gifts in tow (wink, wink).
Before bedtime last night Zach read "'Twas the night before Christmas" to our three precious boys and then it was off bed where the Sugar plums and Jitter bugs seemed to both be dancing. The boys could hardly contain their excitement over the impending visit during the night.
Saint Nicholas did not disappoint! The scene above is what awaited our three little sleepyheads when they awoke on their first Christmas morning of 2007. And yes, they did get the bikes and balls they had carefully selected and placed on their lists they supplied for Santa when we visited him at his winter vacation home
Zach's sister told us the year we got married about a tradition she had seen where an older couple had taken a picture of themselves and their family in front of their Christmas tree on Christmas morning every year they had been married. So, Zach and I started that tradition on our first Christmas together, 7 1/2 years ago. Above you will see this years installment, to be framed and set out for many Christmases to come.
