Christmas 2014

As one side of my family gathers together today to celebrate Christmas, I am spending some time remembering the events of my Christmas week. The kind of Christmas I never pictured when I was younger, away from my family, but still so thankful for everyone and everything that surrounds me. 

For several weeks now, we have been receiving Christmas gifts for our kiddos and staff. We are beyond blessed by how many people care about our babies and decided to send these toys, clothes and books - it was a fun several days of wrapping and sorting and labeling as we prepared gifts for each child! 

By Christmas Eve, all of the mail was received and we had every present wrapped and ready to go. We attended the Christmas Eve service with the other staff here at COTP and went to bed ready for a full day in the morning. 

On Christmas morning, we got everything ready for the party and the kids quickly noticed something was up; they couldn’t wait for their turn to come in and experience Christmas. We spent the next several hours celebrating in small groups with our kids, reading the Christmas story, decorating cookies, unwrapping presents and exploring new toys. Even when the kiddos were napping, we were still busy handing out the nanny Christmas presents. :)

It was a fun day that ended with happy kids and a roommate Christmas dinner, complete of course with fudge and a Christmas movie!

Our Christmas Whiteboard.

The stocking (ornaments) were hung by the (whiteboard) with care.

Gifts ready to be unwrapped.

The Nativity Scene we used to tell the Christmas Story.

Trying to sit still long enough for Tori to read to us.

Ready to open presents.

Professional cookie decorator... she took the task very seriously.

Excited to open presents... and possibly toss the paper everywhere in a minute.

Waiting very seriously to find out what's inside.

Unwrapping his new books was a tough job.

Everyone had to check out the fancy new car.

She loved the new trampoline that everyone gets to share.

He was excited for musical mats and bows this Christmas.

She loves her new stuffed kitty.

And she's pretty sure her very first Christmas was a success!

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