Merry Christmas

Michael opening his gifts - I guess we went a little overboard this year...
Emily after opening her gifts - her favorites were her Vera Bradley purse and walet as well as the Vera Bradley messanger bag. She was very surprised about them!!!

Christmas Eve at Church.

We celebrated Christmas here at home in a quiet way. We went to 5:00 & 7:00 Christmas eve services, and then came home, ate a quick dinner of velveeta & sausage "pizzas" on rye bread, and then let the kids open their presents from Uncle Will and Aunt Elaine. Then it was off to bed - the kids fell asleep very good - but Doug and I had a hard time sleeping. Since this was the first Christmas morning the kids ever had at home, they did not realize that most kids get up early, early, early. Emily got up around 7:30 and went into the family room and turned on the TV. She did not wake up Michael or get us up. She just went about her usual routine. We got Michael up at around 7:45 and then went to open presents. After opening presents, we ate breakfast, got dressed and headed off for Church.

When we arrived home from Church the kids played with their new toys and crafts as I made lunch. We had baked ham, mashed sweet potatoes, corn, cranberries and apple crisp for dessert. Then we spent the afternoon using gifts. Emily worked on some quilling - a paper curling set she got while Michael used his new wii games and played with his cars. We had ham & potato soup for dinner, and just spent the day hanging out around the house.

It was a quiet Christmas with just the 4 of us. Have not ever had one of those during our marriage. Really missed being with family, but will get together with mom, dad, Gene, Holly, Andrew, & Noah for New Years.