December 25 - Christmas Day

"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and we are better throughout the year because we became children again during Christmas time." - Laura Wilder

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen." - Unknown

"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other." - Burton Hills

Wake up to SNOW!  6-8 inches by day’s end.  Snowed off & on all day.  Big, fluffy flakes.

Chandi up at 7.  Kids up at 8:15.

Wake Nora up.

Skype with Goodwins.

Tear open presents! 

Nora really enjoyed opening & LOVED her baby.  Said, “Ohhhhh,” & snuggled her by her face.

Nora eats leftover Santa cookies while Dad & Haze are playing cars & Mom & Andlie are playing with her loom set.

Play, play, play.

Bryce over for breakfast.

Play, play, play.

Nora naps.

Kids play independently for a bit.

Chandi & Andlie play in snow.  Make snow angles & knock & run with snowballs on porch.  Try to make a snowman.  Try to sled.  Snow is too powdery.

All except Nora (sleeping) outside to play in snow.  Haze crawl in it & laugh. Kids make snowballs, throw at Mom & Dad, and laugh.  Haze look at Mommy in snow & say, “Mom, it’s snowing so….MERRY CHRISTMAS!”  Built sledding hill.  Sort of.  Haze & Mom inside.  Andlie & Daddy play outside.  Daddy pull Andlie on sled.  Andlie says, “Run like a bird!!!”

All inside.

Watch David Archuleta/MoTab concert on YouTube.

Skype w/Goodwins & Mind & Shen.

Kids play, play, play.

Nora up.

All play.  Kids play pretty well together.  Share pretty nicely.

Bubble machine – Nora love!

Eat dinner while watching the real Grinch on TV.

Nora destroys everything – Andlie’s chalk, Andlie’s stomp rocket, Haze’s cars, trash, food, you name it.

Bry & Chand clean up.

Prayers.  Ask what gifts are everyone’s fave.  Andlie: special rocks, Haze: track & cars.  Nora has loved her rocking horse.

Kids to bed.  Chandi put Andlie & Haze to bed.  Sing “Away in a Manger” to Andlie & then “Picture a Christmas” WITH her.  Sing “Child of God” WITH Haze & then “Silent Night” to him.  Tell them both Merry Christmas.

B & C take trash out in still, soft snow.

Bed!!

What a magical day it was.  Filled with wonder & happiness, joy & thankful hearts.  Merry Christmas!