Christmas Day

Gabriel was out of bed first on Christmas morning. We always wait until 8 a.m. when the grandparents, Uncle Brian, and Aunt Erin arrive before we begin opening gifts though.
Our first job was to take the expectant Mary from the Nativity and put out Mother Mary and Baby Jesus.
Gabriel took expectant Mary away, and Grace added Mother Mary with Baby Jesus. We talked for a moment about why we had to put Baby Jesus out on Christmas morning. I was so proud because the kids could really explain it to me.
The kids went through their stockings. Gabriel found a really cool fleece hat and matching gloves.
There were several books in his stocking, including a beginning chapter book about Lightning McQueen and a couple of math workbooks.
Grace showed Gabriel some lip gloss that was in her stocking . . . or as she calls it "lip chap."
"Mom, Santa brought socks!"
It took her a minute, but Grace noticed that Santa had brought an art table for her.
She got busy coloring right away.
Santa also brought Grace the Crayola Crayon Maker. She was so excited!
Mommy and Daddy got a family gift for us. The kids started opening the box and pulling out Wii games. Gabriel was so excited! Someone immediately asked, "How are you going to play those?" To which he replied, "We'll take them to Grandma and Papaw's house." He had not even noticed that there was a Wii in the box with the games.
Grace gave Gabriel a handheld video game. You know, a boy can never have too many video games.
Brian and Erin gave Grace a princess tent. Uncle Ed curled up inside it with Grace's Fur Real Puppy, Cookie.
The Ellnor's have a mandatory nap time on Christmas Day. Papaw thought he would get a head start on his.
After breakfast, Daddy and Uncle Ed hooked up the Wii, and we broke out the Kidz Bop game Uncle Ed and Aunt Stacey gave the kids.
Daddy showed Grace how to work the controller.
Grandma gave the Kidz Bop a try, and Grace danced along with her.
Aunt Stacey busted a move too.
Uncle Ed and Hershey got their mandatory nap time in.

Seriously . . . Gabriel, Grace, Stacey, and I laid down for naps after breakfast, Wii games, and showers. After naps we hung out for a bit, then headed to Grandma and Papaw's house for dinner.
Grace ate her dessert while sitting in Aunt Erin's lap.
Grandma got Wii Zumba for Christmas. It was a hit after dinner! Gabriel did an entire 20 minutes Zumba class.
Grace got tired while dancing and took her shirt off. Then her Baby Alive needed to eat, so she sat down like a good little mama and fed her baby.
Erin is the dog whisperer. Griffey, Lucy, and Hershey love to cuddle with her.
Grandma tried a little Zumba.
Before everyone started to head their separate ways (or lay down for another nap), we decided to get a group picture. Like I said before, our dogs are part of our family too.
Grace is a booty-shakin' Zumba fool!
The three youngest kids (Griffey, Gabe, and Grace) love hanging with Uncle Ed and Aunt Stacey.
Baby Alive was complaining that she was thirsty, so Daddy took over baby tending.
Uncle Ed decided to bust-a-move to Zumba.
I'm pretty sure he was doing a little freestyle dancing.
Papaw thought he would show us ALL how this Zumba-thing is done!
Uncle Ed is the best for wrestling and being silly. He was pretending to be a train, and Gabriel and Grace were the passengers.
Here they go for another ride. The kids were wound tight when we left Grandma and Papaw's house. Grace was so exhausted that she cried all the way home. She was suffering from some severe Christmas fun exhaustion. A nice long sleep was the only cure for her.

When Dan and I went to bed last night, I felt like my heart was swelling to the point of bursting. My heart swells with joy when I think about how wonderful our family is and how much fun we have when we're all together. It doesn't matter if we are hanging out with Grampy and Barbara or Uncle Brian and Erin. We always have a good time being together with our family. We are so blessed to have such a loving family. We are so blessed to have the joy and love that constantly surrounds us. Merry Christmas, Everyone!