Merry Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas this year!  Matt is still asking lots of questions about Santa and logistics.  He even told Marlie that someone at school told him that the biggest secret was that Santa was a M-Y-T-H!  I figured no worries as she wouldn't know what that spelled or meant, but she replied, "Well if Santa is a myth then how does he deliver presents to everyone's house on Christmas morning?" She's as smart as can be and she got Matt to see her point.  So on with the festivities!

We did our letters to Santa early this year because Santa doesn't want lists last minute.  Can you imagine how hard that would be for him? The kids love looking through the catalogs and making their lists. Then they narrow it down to their top 5 things.  Sometimes Mom and Dad have to help guide so Santa doesn't go broke!

Christmas started with the kid's school parties.  As always they have so much fun and I'm so thankful for the room Moms that plan and lead these.

After school we headed straight to the mall to see Santa.  Last year we were in line for hours so I was hoping to beat the rush.  Luckily we did and got to see Santa right away.  Matt checked him out pretty intensely but then still got that tad nervous feeling when he went to talk to him. 



Marlie told Santa she wanted 60 marbles! I have heard they are not easy to find these days! Matt asked for video games which Santa can easily pick up! 

 

Our tradition is to go to the children's mass on Christmas Eve and then come home for a fun evening with our family and open gifts.  After dinner the kid's put on a Christmas recital.  Matt planned it and they played guitar and Marlie sung of course.  It was really cute and they are getting more talented every year! Then we always have our gift card exchange which the kids and adults love.  When we start with gifts the kids like to go first and give their gifts that they bought at the school Santa shop. Dad got some really neat gadgets and I got a really cool hat and bracelet! Too cute!

I took the kids shopping (to a real store) to buy each other gifts and Matt was excited to get this for Marlie. 

Papa, Nona Lisa, Nene, Grandpa and Uncle Jay and Jaime celebrated with us and the kids were so glad to have everyone there. 

Dad said he needed ties so the kid's got to pick out ties and thought that was fun.  Matt was especially excited that he found one that was his baseball team's colors! 

 Dad got Matt a football signed by RGIII and Matt was super excited!

 Dad also got us all Baylor shirts for the Fiesta Bowl!

 We sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and enjoyed the rest of the evening.  It was so wonderful!

Christmas day is always my favorite. I do normally have to drag myself out of bed because Matt is always up early, but I love seeing the look on their faces when they come downstairs to see what Santa brought.  We stay in our pjs all day and play with games Santa brings.  Matt got the Simon game and Marlie was by far the best of all us...but she said it stressed her out and didn't want to play.  So instead she decorated her jewelry box!

This year the kid's had fun making gingerbread houses too although I think Nona Lisa had the most fun!

On the weekend we headed to San Antonio to see Doug's Mom, Papa Howie and all of our aunts, uncles and cousins.  The kids love being with their cousins and we enjoy watching all of them hang out together.  We had so much fun!  I hope you all had a Merry Christmas too! God is good...ALL THE TIME!