Christmas with GiGi

It is February 1st and I am still blogging about Christmas....

This year we did our Christmas at Mom's house the day after Christmas.  We met up in the early afternoon for dinner and presents.  I am so thankful to be surrounded by my family (with Sarah only a shortish drive away).  I love that the boys are so close to their cousins and that our lives are woven together perfectly.  This past year was the hardest year of my life, but it was made easier knowing that we were all in it together.  So why the presents were a nice perk, I am just thankful to have such a loving family to call my own.

Christmas at Nana's House

I am way behind on my blogging....

After Christmas morning at our house we headed over to Nana's house to celebrate with my mom's side of the family.  Matt brought over a bounce house which was a lot of fun for the kids (and some of the adults, too). I didn't take my camera this year so I got all of my pictures from my mom.  There were so many that I wanted to include that I decided to make a couple of photo collages at the end instead.  Enjoy!

Nana

 I really like this picture of Luke!

 Me and my guys

 Our silly faces

 Not sure where Benji was during this picture

 Mom and Sis

And here are the rest!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Our family tradition is to eat birthday pancakes on Christmas morning to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  We sing happy birthday to Jesus and then the boys blow out their candle.  This is one of my most favorite things about our Christmas morning at home.  I hope this is a tradition that the boys remember fondly as they grow up and ultimately have families of their own.

Birthday pancakes years past: 2010, 2011, 2012

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning the boys woke up to a new train table!  These boys have been all about trains lately so they were in little boy heaven!  After playing with the table they moved on to their stockings and ultimately to their presents (which included more trains)!  They had such a good time and had thankful hearts.   We spent the morning at home playing trains and eating birthday pancakes.  It was a great start our our Christmas Day.

 Luke and his new gun

 Gigi sent over gifts, too -- Woody and Buzz!

 Great Grandma Blum also sent presents -- trains and a Children's Bible for both of them

Christmas Eve

This year was the first year we decided to go as a family to the Christmas Eve services at church.  I am really proud of the boys for how well they behaved.  They did their best to listen and stay as quiet as possible.  I wouldn't say it was an easy hour, but I am proud that we went.

After church we headed over to Ginger's for our Christmas Eve.  We ate dinner, exchanged gifts, and played salad bowl.  It was a wonderful night with those we love most.  I am so thankful to have my family within walking distance :)  I am also thankful that my sister was in town for the holidays!!  I have missed seeing her so frequently.

 





 This year was all about the silly pictures :)

Benji with the bracelets cracks me up.  He is going to hate this picture someday, but I love it now :)

I love that Luke wanted to be in our picture.  He is finally starting to embrace the camera again!