Christmas 2016

Christmas Eve this year was with the Goodrich side and even though I didn't grow up with this tradition I have adopted it like I did. It is one of our favorite nights of the year and I love that our kids get excited for it as well. Candlelight dinner, acting out the nativity, and singing around the piano are the main traditions and highlights for everyone. Love this night so much and love these people!

Cam and Stockton

Tiana and Molly

Evie, Brynn, Riley

Every year we have to keep some kids from blowing out the candles.  It was Ivy this year, although in all fairness, this was after dinner.

Stockton, Riley, Evie, Brynn

Luke, Evie, Brynn, Grandpa

 

Molly, Brynn, Tiana

Luke, Stockton, Riley

Grandpa, Stockton, Justin on the couch; Tiana, Molly, Camille at the piano

This was the first year that Stockton stayed upstairs and sang and I loved it.

 Here are some "behind the scenes" photos...what we did in between each of the activities.

Grandpa, Riley, Brynn, Ivy, Evie

 

Molly, Ivy, Tiana

Ivy and Evie

And our annual Christmas Eve family photo.  Wish Ivy didn't have her hand up in her mouth because everyone looks pretty good except for that.

We made it home in time for dad to read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and set out cookies for Santa.  They decided to all sleep in Molly's room and had worked hard to set up their beds earlier that day.  Excitement and anticipation for what the morning will bring!

We gave them my phone and told them to call Justin when they woke up, no sooner than 7:00.  They called right about 7:00 and said they were up and ready to come upstairs to see what Santa brought.  They had to wait for Ivy to wake up and for Justin to get the camera set up and a fire started before they could come up to the living room.

When they came up, they each found their pile quickly.  Molly got a kindle and a chess set.  Her stocking had a full length mirror, a beanie boo, a step/fitness tracker, an ornament, and candy.

Stockton got a skateboard and an mp3 player.  His stocking had gel pens, night vision goggles, a 49ers football beanie boo, an ornament, and candy.

Brynn got a violin and purple binoculars.  Her stocking had Shopkins, feet pajamas, a beanie boo, an ornament, and candy.

Ivy got a Cabbage Patch doll and doll carseat.  Her stocking had bubbles, bubble bath, a beanie boo, an ornament, and candy.

For the family Santa left the movie Annie and a new snowglobe to add to our collection.

It was a fun and successful morning and everyone was happy with the surprises Santa brought them.

We ate breakfast next.  Our Christmas morning breakfast this year was overnight croissant breakfast casserole and the leftover cinnamon rolls from Halloween that had been in my freezer and tasted every bit as good as they did fresh!  We also had oranges, pears, applesauce, apple juice, grape juice, and probably some bacon or sausage.

After breakfast it was back to the living room to uwrap the presents under the tree.  The kids unanimously decided that they wanted to open the gigantic present that had been wrapped for a week or so.  It was addressed to all of them from mom and dad and they were very curious.

It ended up being a kid's kayak for them to use all summer long.

As per tradition, they each had two presents under the tree.  Molly got a radio/clock for her room from mom and dad and the second illustrated Harry Potter and a Gryffindor shirt from her siblings.

Stockton got a radio/clock for his room from mom and dad and rollerblades from his sisters.

Brynn got a radio/clock for her room and rollerblades from her siblings.

Ivy got a floor puzzle from mom and dad and a Little People Mickey and Minnie house from her siblings.

Justin got a bench grinder and a TopGolf gift certificate and I got some new boots, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and some cute dishes for my glass-fronted cabinet in the kitchen.

I enjoy going to church on Christmas Day and it's probably the only time that I'm glad we have 1:00 church.  We were able to do all our morning "stuff" with plenty of time to get ready and make it to church.  My mom always gifts them new church clothes for Christmas and this year she gave them to them early so they could wear their new clothes on Christmas.

Molly had to wear her dress from the Christmas before.  My mom had accidentally bought the size smaller than what she needed and she wasn't able to get it shipped to our house in time.  Molly was a good sport about it, even when I still insisted on a picture.

After church we headed to Plain City for the rest of the day.  We were able to overlap with my siblings for just a little bit before they headed off in their different ways so that the cousins could do their gift exchange.  We gave presents to Ben, Chloe, Spencer, and Josie this year.  I don't remember who gave gifts to my kids but Molly got a fleece hoodie, Stockton got some rocket copters, Brynn got Chutes and Ladders, and Ivy got a little stuffed puppy purse.

 

Molly, Abby, Grant, Grace, Chloe, Ben, Gavin, Lucy, Tessa, Stockton, Josie, Spencer, Brynn, Ivy, Seth, Harper

My mom and dad went completely overboard this year and spoiled the kids rotten. My mom had wrapped each kids' presents in a different wrapping paper and they had to walk around the room and guess which pile was theirs.  They gave Molly a soccer goal (a big one for our yard), a 3D pen, and clothes.

Stockton got a basketball hoop (again, a big one that we will put out on our street), a drone, and clothes.

Brynn got a LeapPad, a Shopkin house with more Shopkins, and clothes.

Ivy got a doll crib and stoller, some doll accessories, and clothes.

Justin got a vacuum system for his shop and I got some clothes, a sign for my house, and an InstantPot.

The rest of the night was spent just hanging out with what family was there and playing with the new toys until it was time to head home.

Gene and April weren't able to make it up on Christmas Day with church schedules so we were able to see them and Brett the next day.  They gave Molly the things she had told grandma she wanted-Rush Hour and gel pens.

Stockton got a vtech watch that doubles as a step counter, a camera, and has a bunch of games on it as well.

Brynn got a mermaid blanket and some bracelets that she could decorate.

Ivy was napping but when she woke up she opened her present.  It was a piano mat.

Brett also gave the kids a new game called Suspend.

They gave Justin and I a caricature drawing of our family on canvas, which is awesome.  They also gave me an InstantPot but returned it and got us some much needed shelves/cubbies to organize all our toys in the loft.

Our kids (and us) are always well-loved and completely spoiled in the gift department.  I am grateful that we can provide them with a magical Christmas and I enjoy documenting their gifts so I can look back and remember what they liked and what made them excited.  Above all, we know that our most precious blessings are not material things but are each other, our families, and the gospel of Jesus Christ.