Christmas Eve finally arrived! The kids thought it never would as the days leading up to the big day seemed to drag on forever for them. Although for us grown-ups, we were scrambling to finish up last minute shopping, wrapping and planning. It's the busiest time of the year after all.
We awoke that morning to find our friendly elf, Elfy, all cozied up in our Nativity. It seemed like the perfect place for him to spend his last day here as he would be flying off late in the night to help Santa with all his special deliveries. Thanks for coming to visit us, Elfy. See you next year!
We ventured down to Apple Valley in the late morning to spend the day celebrating at Nana Judy's and Popi Dave's house. It was a packed household with everyone being able to join us for the festivities.
The kids enjoyed opening gifts, eating a delicious meal of Cossetta's mostaccioli, finding the pickle hidden on the Christmas tree, and playing with their cousins.
Of course, Owen somehow managed to fall asleep on the couch in the middle of the celebration. That boy can sleep through anything!
Before we knew it, it was time for Christmas mass. We attended Nana's and Popi's church again this year and the place was packed! Luckily we found ample seating in the overflow (not always an easy task with two wheelchair users.) It was a lovely service. With everyone tired after the long day of celebrations, we made our way home to get ready for Christmas morning. Kate made sure to put out cookies and carrots and a big glass of milk for our upcoming visitors. She knew Santa and his reindeer would be quite hungry having been working so hard on all their deliveries.
Christmas morning came early once again. With such varying ages and a couple kids that love their sleep while others that can't seem to sleep past 5:00 am, it's hard to know what time to roll out of bed. But Kate and Cole were both up and chomping at the bit to get the day started. They couldn't wait to see what was waiting for them outside of their rooms.
El Nino Jesus always comes on Christmas morning to leave the kids a gift. He used to place the presents at the foot of their beds, but in an effort not to wake anyone up during their slumber, He started to leave the gifts just outside their rooms. It's the first thing they see when they open their doors on Christmas morning.
Kate was blessed with an American Girl doll, but not just any doll. She was really hoping for the Bitty Baby Disney Princess Ariel doll. And that's just what she got! She was so excited.
Cole, the hardest to shop for, received a gaming chair for his Xbox steering wheel.
Sam got the cutest little remote control train set that even produces steam!
Owen received a suitcase full of Nike gear.
Aria was gifted a 3-wheeled scooter.
Rose was woken up by all the commotion outside of her door and came moseying out of her room to find a soft fluffy blanket waiting for her. Just want she had wanted!
Then we all made our way downstairs to see if Santa had come. Indeed he had! He had munched up Kate's treats leaving behind only crumbs, left the kids stockings plumb full of goodies, delievered an assortment of gifts wrapped in red paper AND somehow managed to find Brownie, the stuffed toy puppy that Kate thought had been behind left at Nana Judy's house the night before. Santa must have dropped him off at our house along his way. Rose was mind-blown!
The kids not-so-patiently lined up for our annual photo op in front of the tree. I took several dozen pictures and still didn't get even one with all of them smiling at the same time. Such is life with six kids.
Next came the stockings. This year I asked them to take turns looking through their stockings one at a time, starting with Owen. I didn't want to miss out on seeing each of them as they pulled out their items, and it can be quite the free-for-all with all six kids dumping everything out all at once. But that was perhaps not the best idea. With each slowly taking their time, stockings took what seemed like forever and not everyone was happy to delay their opening.
Afterwards, we took a break for some homemade caramel rolls and playtime as we finished up breakfast.
Once breakfast was over, the kids eagerly opened Santa's gifts. Each of them had two gifts from Santa this year. A couple of the most excited kids were Cole and Owen. Cole got a case of cranberry juice. I don't know anyone that gets as excited over single serving bottles of cranberry juice as this boy of mine!
Owen received cash in a fun box. He kept pulling out more and more dollars. He thought it was quite crazy!
The last gifts of the day were from us. Cole had been begging for the game Detroit Becoming Human for months. He had seen it played on YouTube and was convinced that he needed that game. The only problem - it was only available on PlayStation, the one gaming system he did not own...yet. He was thrilled to finally get his game.
Sam was next to rip open his gigantic gift - a play kitchen with a running sink. I'm sure he'll be excitedly splashing all over in his near future!
Rose opened her gift to discover a VR Headset - one of the top things she had wanted!
Owen was surprised with a new computer. This is his third one so far. Fingers crossed that this time he'll take better care of it.
Kate got her Barbie Dream House. She was convinced that the ginormous box behind the tree must contain the Barbie House of her dreams, and she was right!
As for Aria, she received a power wheelchair. After months of research I finally purchased a lightweight adult power wheelchair hoping that I could modify it for her needs. Thankfully her special needs Testa Seat was the perfect addition to the chair providing all the support she needed.
The kids then passed out their gifts. Rose, Kate and Cole had handmade special gifts at school just for us. They were precious!
Rose even bought me my absolute favorite Christmas chocolates that I couldn't find anywhere! Lindt Peppermint Cookie truffles - YUM!
For dessert, this year we opted for a DQ cake. The kids blew out the candles while we all wished Jesus a very happy birthday.
While Christmas was filled with gifts, the most important part was spending time with family. I'm so thankful for the time we had making memories to last a lifetime.
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