Christmas Eve was pretty relaxing. After us all eating some hot freshly cooked bagels from a shop across the street, we mostly just hung out, watched football (I did my Christmas dinner shopping), and we went to church.

After dinner, Garrick & the kids started on the freshly baked cookies for Santa (big chewy, Reese's cup, chocolate chip & coconut cookies - we used whatever we had in the pantry!) we let each of the kids open their Christmas Eve present (PJ's) & then we put together our ginger bread sleighs. We were going to make ginger bread houses from scratch... But, it was just too much to handle this year! We'll do that next year when Baylee will be big enough to join in on the fun! :)

Opening their first gift...

Matching Pajama's!!

Nice try Preston...

They wasted NO time getting these on...

Daddy helped the little man...

Looking good guys! New PJ's (check!)

(...and Preston's off!! The photo-op didn't even last long enough to get a picture in focus...)

Ginger Bread construction time!!!

Well done!

Ginger Bread Sleigh done! (check!)

Picture of all the kids in front of Christmas Tree! (check!)

Oh boy... The un-orderliness of this is killing me!!

I can't even get the boy to look at me... darn candy bowl!! Oh well...

Oh wow... Look at this!

After all the repeated threats of me calling off Christmas... Good ole' St. Nick decided to show his face over here after all.

Lucky little kids...

Santa brought each of the kids a bear that takes up 1/8 of their bedroom (that wasn't a well though out decision on our part), each a nice GERMAN made Bruder truck (Preston a dump truck, Aubree a jeep, horse trailer & horse) - they're so cool... they even have suspension! :) Aubree a Melissa & Doug real-life shopping cart, that she's been wanting since early this year! And, Preston a plush sports pillow set by Melissa & Doug. Baylee was given the Melissa & Doug Birdhouse shapes... which, she'll be able to use in about 4-6 months.

After reading a friend's blog... I liked the idea of giving the kids each THREE presents, to remember the meaning of Jesus & the Holy Trinity. Of course... It went a little bit above that with gifts from the grandparents & my Aunt Ann in Sweden & I think even from Garrick & I. But, we did try to be as minimal as possible... although, it's easy to get carried away with these things! We ended up having a very blessed & happy Christmas together & of course, it's my goal to get those pictures up THIS YEAR!! :) So, hopefully I have some time tomorrow to finish it up! Thank you Said, LoVida, Mom, Dad, Natalie, Eric & Aunt Ann for all your sweet gifts for us & the kids! :)

Hope every one had a very Merry Christmas!!!