Christmas Festivities

This is a post I have been anticipating for a while. Preparing for long remembered traditions and trying to creatively introduce new ones. Well, I've learned once again that sometimes our most thought out plans never come to reality. I spent the majority of Christmas day, and the following two days, in bed with the flu. I'm not talking a slight case where I simply didn't feel well...full blown flu! I finally ate something tonight for the first time since Christmas Eve. As my father reminded me, at least I was able to sit and enjoy my children while they opened their presents Christmas morning before the furry hit! So, although not quite the report I had hoped to give, here is a quick glance at our Christmas this year!

After church on Christmas Eve we joined Mike's family at his folks house.

It's a tough group to get standing still in one place, but we managed...and with lots of smiles, too!! Mike's parents are in the middle, his brother Damon in the right back holding his son, Jack and his wife Lisa with precious Lizzy and Emma is standing next to Paige in front.

They were kind enough to allow me to impose some of my family traditions...most importantly, THE PINATA!! I don't remember what year this was introduced in my family, but it has been a long time! It's fun to watch and see how much more fun the kids have each year as they get older and understand it more.

Nathan wasn't too sure exactly what was going on, but he's always eager to get involved in fun!I think they were pleased with their end result!
After the kids opened their traditional "PJ Package," it was home to sprinkle Reindeer Dust and set out cookies and milk for Santa...

Thanks to all of our amazing family and some close friends, the kids woke up to LOTS of presents under the tree!
It was hard to pick favorites, but here are a few...
Nathan got his very own train table from Boppa and Bammy Although her face shows her uncertainty here, Paige is excited about her big girl bike from Boppa and Bammy...it will take some practice!
Nathan LOVES his Mr. Potato Head...so Aunt Emmy got him some Veggie Spuds to add to the collection
Later in the day, Paige got a puppy that sounds and moves like it's real from Nanny and Papa (She also got a Barbie guitar from Aunt Lisa and Uncle Damon that she LOVES, but my picture taking ability was gone by that point!)
Once again, I was reminded of what matters most on Christmas, and thankfully it is not the food and cookies and man-made traditions...although those are GREAT and I hope to enjoy them next year. Instead, it's about kids and the pure joy in their faces..."Let the little children come to me." It is about the little baby that was sent to earth for each and every one of us. It's about the amazing power of God to do above and beyond what our human minds can comprehend. It's about loving one another with the same love He has for us. As much as my mind and humanness try to tell me I missed it all...I'm thankful that I didn't miss the things that were most important!!