A Very Merry Christmas

 We had a wonderful Christmas this year at home with our little family.  We spent the morning at the zoo taking advantage of their free day and then everyone had naps and we prepared our Christmas Eve dinner.

Our table ready for Christmas Eve dinner

After dinner we read and acted out the Nativity story from the Bible with the girls, which was really special, I think they are understanding more and more.  Lauren originally wanted to be Mary but then after thinking about it told me I should be Mary because I am a mommy (I didn't mention that it was also fitting since I am so very pregnant). She settled for the angel instead and Rachel was a shepherd.  Ryan was, as usual, every other character we didn't have: narrator, donkey, Joseph, etc. He's very versatile.

Our angel telling the shepherd that Baby Jesus
 has been born.

Our charming shepherd and her sheep

After acting out the Nativity we watched Luke 2  to help bring it all home for the girls.  Then we sang Christmas hymns, had dessert, set out cookies and a carrot for Rudolph (he's the favorite around here) and sent the girls to bed.  Then Santa of course made his visit a good deal before midnight. 

Right after Santa's visit

The next morning we actually had to wake the girls up because we were doing a video chat with family and they wanted to watch them open the gifts they had bought them. They of course didn't mind being woken up once we reminded them what day it was and what awaited them in the living room.

Lauren was super excited about these, she is REALLY into
ponies right now.

I love the next two pictures because their faces are totally saying "whoa what did you get?"

Thank you Uncle Bryce and Aunt Caitlin!

And I love these next two pictures because this is what Ryan and I got the girls.  We bought the barn second hand and I failed to realize that the batteries were still in it and actually worked.  I am nearly to the point of making the batteries "mysteriously" disappear.

They got a lot of really great things from family that they love.  It has been really nice the past few days because they have not ever been bored or run out of things to do. A big thank you from the girls to our families for spoiling them rotten :)

 Merry Christmas!!

A little song for your enjoyment :)