Christmas morning

Christmas morning was wonderful. Just the 5 of us.

I, of course, would have loved to have been surrounded by all of our families but that just couldnt happen so we embraced another Christmas here with just us & it was nice. I guess thats one thing that works out living so far away from family .. it forces us to really establish our own traditions and everything else as a family here. Which is a blessing Im sure.

This was the first year I made all the food myself though because normally even with not traveling we still get together with friends. It was fun getting to cook & prep everything ourselves and enjoy a nice meal. I cut all the recipes in half and we still had way too much food! ;)

So christmas morning we woke the boys up and took them downstairs. They were thrilled when we said it was finally time to open gifts


River undressed himself in bed! ;)


telling Wylder it was Christmas morning and to come downstairs




picking out which gift to open




(river "wrapped" that gift with stickers)

one thing I forgot about was how every kid wants to open each gift and then play with it right then. So our morning lasted for quite some time. I loved that it was drawn out though.

We took a quick break for breakfast:

Cinnamon roll french toast.

(to be honest .. I wouldnt make it again. Id rather either just cinnamon rolls OR french toast. But freeland liked it)




lil miss woke up and joined in on the fun

River was still so good about sharing gifts & the spotlight. He was thrilled to be able to play santa and hand out gifts for each person. He'd randomly stop and say "dadda needs one .. wait let me find you one" it cracked us up seeing him want everyone to get to open gifts.









My aunt made these towels for the boys that look like bears. They LOVED them .. especially when Freeland put it on ;)












Wylder finally got his own backpack & loved it!


helping Freeland open his socks! niiiice.










Rivers first lego set









Then we pulled out the appetizers and lunch and put the boys down for naps after a long & fun morning opening gifts, laughing, hanging out, and skyping with the rest of our family.





Freelands friend from work came over to spend the day with us! It was a blast. Freeland & him took the job of making deviled eggs very seriously. And they were actually super yumm-o.


while the boys napped we sat around and did absolutely nothing.. except watch shows on netflix & eat .. and then after naps we all sat down for dinner together.







It was seriously a great day. a perfect mix of crazy and lazy at the same time. The boys had a blast & I was so thankful for all the received. We tried not to overload them with toys they dont need. The day really felt like it was about family & getting time together and celebrating instead of just the gifts. (to us at least .. Im sure the boys will just remember the gifts! ;)