The kids went to bed on Christmas Eve, knowing that the next morning we were going to fly to Grandma and Grandpa's house. What they did not know was that Santa was leaving their stockings at our house, but taking their presents to Grandma and Grandpa's. So, when Cole woke up and rushed upstairs to see all of the presents, he was shocked and a little disappointed that there were no presents under the tree! He rushed in to wake us up and tell us what had happened, almost in tears. I reminded him that he had written a letter to Santa and maybe he should go see if Santa wrote him back.
Thankfully, Santa explained it all!
So at that point, Cole was able to open his stocking and enjoy the goodies there.
Then, he had to go back and reread the note, just to make sure he did have presents somewhere!
Eventually, Emily woke up...sort of. I'm not sure she was fully awake or ready, but Cole was not to be slowed. He "helped" her see all of the fun stuff in her stocking!
We finally had to wake Addy up so she could see her stocking before we had to get dressed and ready to go catch our airplane. Once again, Cole, and by this time Emily, was more than willing to help her unpack her stocking!
Santa didn't forget to leave Chad and I our stockings either!
As soon as we were done with stockings and dressed, it was off to the airport to fly to Grandma and Grandpa's house to see all of our family. For my kids, this was possibly more exciting than the idea of Christmas to them. Cole had many conversations beforehand about how many people were going to be there, especially all in one house. He was so excited to see his cousins, and his uncles! Emily couldn't quit talking about her cousins that she missed so much. Addy, as usual, had no idea what was going on, but if Cole and Emily were excited, than so was she!
The trip out was even better because their cousins were on our same flight!
(The stewardess told them to put their heads down during the takeoff. The boys sort of listened...the girls took her seriously!)
Kansas City, here we come!
Here is another picture. (The face would have been more exciting, but it doesn't look like a face to me. At least I can see the arm and leg here. You'd think after 4 of these I would be able to pick things out...Nope!!)
At least I will be justified in continuing to shop for girl clothes!!
So at that point, Cole was able to open his stocking and enjoy the goodies there.
Then, he had to go back and reread the note, just to make sure he did have presents somewhere!
Eventually, Emily woke up...sort of. I'm not sure she was fully awake or ready, but Cole was not to be slowed. He "helped" her see all of the fun stuff in her stocking!
We finally had to wake Addy up so she could see her stocking before we had to get dressed and ready to go catch our airplane. Once again, Cole, and by this time Emily, was more than willing to help her unpack her stocking!
Santa didn't forget to leave Chad and I our stockings either!
As soon as we were done with stockings and dressed, it was off to the airport to fly to Grandma and Grandpa's house to see all of our family. For my kids, this was possibly more exciting than the idea of Christmas to them. Cole had many conversations beforehand about how many people were going to be there, especially all in one house. He was so excited to see his cousins, and his uncles! Emily couldn't quit talking about her cousins that she missed so much. Addy, as usual, had no idea what was going on, but if Cole and Emily were excited, than so was she!
(The stewardess told them to put their heads down during the takeoff. The boys sort of listened...the girls took her seriously!)
Kansas City, here we come!
Cole and Emily each had a nice stack of gifts to crack into!
So once again, they got to open,
And open,
And open some more!
And the most popular gifts of the day?
Her very own computer!
And, a pillow pet!
After they finished opening, they wanted to open the presents and get to playing, but of course their Dad wisely told them to only pick one so they didn't lose all of the pieces. They were not happy about this, but in the end, they survived!
Since we were headed to KC on Christmas morning and wouldn't have time to open presents, we decided to open our presents from each other on the 23rd. This actually worked out well because the kids weren't overwhelmed by presents and they could open and play with them right away.
Chad was nice and didn't even make the kids wait for him to shower like he has in the past. What a Dad!
Then the opening began.
Slowly at first, then they started gaining momentum.
The excited faces!
These are a few of our favorite things.
Who knew a BYU shirt was so exciting!
And these are a few of our MOST favorite things!
And her big girl underwear!
Emily enjoyed her Tinkerbell puzzle,
and her kitty.
Cole wanted me to take pictures of his favorite present,
from all directions.
And this is the look you get when you want to go play football outside but there is 2 feet of snow!
Merry Christmas, Day 1!
(For those of you who don't understand this and want the "Rest of the Story", feel free to ask. But, yes, this is an announcement. Baby #4 will be joining our family in June.)
