Christmas Eve 2:

 

Owen's first remote control car

 

Ava with her snow globe- her favorite gift that she asked for

 

My watch from Daddy

 

The kids "helping"to open Daddy's gift

 

Ava wanted to take our picture: she did pretty well

In his glory with new trucks and trailers

Daddy with the instruction manual to Ava's new doll bunk beds:  the first of many toys he put together!

Bedtime story
Even though we weren't gone, the kids didn't get to bed very early.  We let them play with their toys for a while and then the bedtime routine had to begin.  We set out cookies and milk for Santa, sprinkled the reindeer food Ava made at Monica's on the front yard, and we had to read The Night Before Christmas.  Ava had many questions about Santa this year.  She wanted to know how he was going to find our house, get in our house, and we had the emotional farewell to Gordy, our elf, which Santa would take with him when he came.  It was fun to make all the preparations with her and watch her excitement.  Shockingly, she did go right to sleep as we had told her Santa wouldn't come if she wasn't sleeping.

Christmas Eve at our House 1:

One of many attempts of a good pic by the tree

I told Owen he was done- never been so excited I don't think! 

Family Photos by the tree after church

 

Ava finally getting to open that first gift she's been eyeing

 

Jewelry box with her name on it

 

New dance tutu

 

Owen opening up his new truck

We had Christmas Eve at home this year which was kind of nice.  We got a few things done during the day and then went to church at our church for Christmas Eve which we have never gotten to do before because we aren't usually in town.  Church was longer than we thought and we still had to eat supper, so we didn't get started opening gifts very early.  Regardless, the kids didn't seem to lose any excitement about it.  They both were very much into tearing open those packages!

Christmas at the Sieve's 2:

The boys playing

Ava with her Polly Pocket

Owen was very into opening gifts this year

Joe with his t-shirt from us

 

James & Lori

Ava with her light up ball

Grandma Joyce unwrapping her microwave

Joe had some plane videos on his phone that Owen loved!
Gift opening was a highlight for my kids at Grandma's.  They enjoyed all their gifts very much as well as time with their Aunt, Uncle, cousins, and grandparents!

Christmas at the Sieve's 1:

 

Family Photo

James & Lori

Ava & Grandma Joyce

James & Ava playing dominoes

Brad being goofy & Ava

Joe & I

We spent Dec. 23rd at the Sieve's celebrating Christmas.  Lori had to work on Christmas Eve so this was the best time to get together.  Joyce made soup and we brought some sides and Christmas cookies.  It was nice having everyone together.  We were just missing the Springer's.

Mom's Birthday & Christmas Cookies.....

Mom with her gifts from Shelly & I

Mom & I with Reese

Sam, Toby, & Addie 

 Best Buds

The other Best Buds (Ava with her best fake smile)

Grandma Chris & Sam

Time for cutouts

 

Ava wanted to take pictures!

 

 

We had a great day at mom's to celebrate her birthday.  We made many, many cutout sugar cookies and frosted them.  The kids seemed to enjoy the cutting out part, but decided to go out and play in the snow when it came time to frost.  Dad even did quite a bit of participating this year!  The only bad part of the day was that Owen was obsessed with waking up Reese on my mom's bed.   I think he was in the doghouse with Aunt Shelly!