Christmas 2014

We had such a wonderful Christmas this year.  It's such a joy to watch the children's faces as they open their gifts.  With four kids, it can get crazy with the gifts and wrapping paper, but so much fun!

After the stockings were opened, Nicholas and Matthew did something so sweet.  Instead of seeing what Santa brought or what mommy and daddy purchased for them, they wanted to give each other the gifts they had purchased with their own money.  They both went shopping for all their siblings.  

They both were so excited to see each others faces.  

Joseph was so excited with his gift, he ran over to hug them (:

They both went to Claire's to buy Juliana *pretties* so she is decked out now with Frozen bracelets and necklaces.

 Christmas Eve.

Our Christmas Eve was filled with our favorite traditions.

Vespers Service.

Homemade jammies and ornaments.

Yummy appetizer dinner.

Polar Express.

Twas' the Night Before Christmas.

cookies and milk for Santa

Excited children eager to go to bed, but too excited to sleep.

Quiet home after children are asleep. 

Fire in the fireplace and hot coffee to keep awake.

Excited mommy and daddy as we think of how happy the children will be in the morning.

2014

 Going to the lodge...The Great Wolf Lodge!

Our family has a little boy that loves trains.  He really loves anything that has an engine, but especially trains.  Last year, we did the Denton Christmas Train, but this year we went to Village Park in Kannapolis and visited their Christmas village.

It was really cold that night, but we all had a great time, especially Joseph.

The town really had a wonderful village.  Inside was a huge model train setup with stations for the kids to engage different scenes for the trains.  Joseph loved this part and really the big boys did as well.

Outside was the musical bears, Santa's cottage, a snow show,  hot chocolate and a ride on the train through a lighted display.

Here Joseph is explaining how he wanted a large steam engine for Christmas.  

 

Poor Juliana...she looks so frightened..

 

Of course, we *made* the big boys sit on Santa's lap.

 

Joseph all ready for the train ride.

 

Who doesn't love a good snow?

(even if it isn't real)