Christmas with the Grands!

Christmas with the grandparents & our siblings always promises to be a great time...and this year definitely didn't disappoint.  We celebrated with Hubby's family on Christmas Eve and had a quick dinner together before we all headed to Christmas Eve service at our church.  I hadn't been to a Christmas Eve service in several years & it was honestly really nice to gather together, sing some carols, partake in the Lord's Supper, and have a candlelight service in honor of Christ's birth. 



My sassy girl before we headed out! COULD NOT get her to smile!



Elyse was fascinated by the candlelight service!



After the church service, the kiddos were raring to go!  Presents were piled under the tree waiting to be opened and I think it took about 10 minutes for paper, tissue, and boxes to be filling the floor!  

 

 

Christmas morning was reserved for our little family of three (another post on that to follow) but after more presents and a quick breakfast, we headed down to my parents' house for Christmas with my family.  Poor Elyse was WORN out because we had to forfeit her nap for present opening...or at least we tried to forfeit it! 

I tell you what...having a photo session with a two year old and a 7 month old who just learned how to crawl is a difficult task!  But we got a few good shots--otherwise they're all blurry from two very busy little girls! 

This year my parents moved away from "Santa gifts" and instead did Papa & Gigi Piano Presents.  All the big presents were piled under the grand piano waiting to be opened...we figured Elyse & Harper didn't really need to think that Santa came to visit in two separate places. 

One of the biggest hits were toothbrushes for the girls...electric for Elyse--she LOVES it!

I need for you to pause a moment and appreciate Elyse's hair!  ha!

The headband is still holding on!

And about 3/4 of the way through present opening...she crashed.  She literally slept for nearly an hour just cuddled up next to me as we continued to open presents, talk, and laugh all around her. We did save her last big present for the end so she could actually open it herself--

A shopping cart to go with her new kitchen!

 She loved it and was so happy to take her babies for a ride!

We were all exhausted once Christmas Day came to an end...especially Elyse....but we couldn't have asked for a better Christmas!  We are so incredibly blessed to be able to spend time with so much of our family & for everyone to be within a 30 mile radius makes it all that much more enjoyable!