Christmas Morning Magic

It's finally here... Christmas Morning!!

The living room before the kids woke up...

Looks like Santa ate his cookies & left us letters!!

Good ol' Samuel!! ;)

Santa left Grace the Razor Powerwing scooter she wanted!

Santa was sneaky hiding the American Girl doll behind the tree!!

Luke's very own jeep!!

This race track is just what Luke wanted!

I was up early Christmas morning. I wanted to be able to reflect on all that the day meant as well as be "ready" when the kids woke up. I'm sure there will come a day when they actually wake up before my alarm actually goes off, but so far that has yet to happen!

Grace actually woke up first. We waited several minutes for Luke to wake up, but when that time came & went I decided to wake him up. Now, with Luke this can be tricky. He will either be grumpy or wake up talking & in a great mood. I was willing to risk it, though! Thankfully, after a little back rub & whispering that Santa had come, he woke up talking & ready to go!!

After getting the initial kid pic in the hallway (another tradition from my childhood), we captured their priceless reactions to the sight before them.

Grace taking it all in...

Luke not sure & still quite sleepy headed!

There's a great reaction...

It didn't take long to get our morning started. Both kids found a spot to sit & began tearing into presents. There were lot's of excited squeals, "it's just what I've always wanted" & "thank you's"! I love watching their faces as they initially see what Santa has brought them (Santa doesn't wrap gifts in our house.) and then to see their reactions to the other gifts they receive!

Grace getting started on her gifts...

Luke knew just what to do!

Love this shot!

Another great reaction!

Wahoo!! It's a pillow...It's a pet...It's a Pillow Pet!

Ahhh, LOVED his reaction over Stinky the Garbage!

Her teacher set...

The gift they got each other (only they didn't know it!)...

Love this...even though it didn't last long!

After a while they checked out the goodies that were left in their stockings. They are 2 lucky kiddos as they get not 1, but 2 stockings full of fun stuff...1 from Santa & the other from Nana & Papa!

Grace & her never-ending expressions!

Stockings from Nana & Papa!

Before long every gift was unwrapped & they were testing out their new toys. Darren's exact words were "Boy, they made quick work of that!"

We had a day full of fun. Somewhere in the midst of the morning fun we sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus. We watched the Walt Disney Christmas Day Parade and of course The Christmas Story over & over & over... We found the bells that the reindeer left the kids out on the front lawn! We read the kid's letters from Santa! We stayed in our pj's the entire day. We ate a yummy lunch & had leftovers for dinner. We took naps. We tested out Luke's jeep & Grace's scooter in the cold weather...although none of us lasted that long outside! We played games. Even Toby enjoyed his new toys! Most importantly we had a FUN day...ALL DAY LONG!!

Watching the Disney Parade with a few friends...

Grace said her bell was from Dasher!

Luke inspecting his bell!

Playing with his new pal, Stinky!

Grace got a new set of "big girl pajamas"!

Hanging out with Samuel the Elf!

Luke couldn't wait to test out Daddy's new helicopter!

Lunch is served!

Luke busy playing...

Grace testing out her scooter!

And, he's off!!

Toby was happy with his new Kong toy!!