Christmas {2015}...

We had a great Christmas week with lots of time spent with family.  Jeremy was off on the 23rd so we had a special day together as a family.  We took the girls to Bounce U to play in the morning.  After naps, we met the Lindvalls at our favorite Mexican restaurant for dinner.

 

We spent Christmas Eve with the Roberts.  We enjoyed brunch together and then spent the rest of the morning opening presents and playing with new toys.  The younger girls and Jeremy headed home for naps, while Kensley and I volunteered in the toddler room during the early Christmas Eve service at church.  We only had two little boys to watch, but Kensley had a great time playing with them and helping out.  Everyone met us at church for the 4 pm Christmas Eve service and then we headed back to Grammy and Grampy's for dinner and the Christmas story.

Ready to open presents at Grammy and Grampy's

Doing the Christmas story on the flannel graph board

We were busy getting ready for Santa on Christmas Eve night.  We sprinkled reindeer food in the front yard, set out cookies for Santa, said our goodbye's to Sparkles (our elf) and then read the night before Christmas before bed.  Surprisingly enough, the girls went right down to bed with no complaints.

Hugs, kisses and "goodbyes" to our elf, Sparkles

And a cute video to go with it...I hope Maddy never says "Sparkles" right. :)

Christmas morning we spent the morning at our house having breakfast and opening presents together.  The girls woke early so we made good use of the early hours.  They were excited to play with their new toys.

The first one up (at 6:07 am, I might add).

Merry Christmas from the Roberts girls!

The baby she asked Santa for!

Playing on their new tablets...they were a hit!

 We took off late Christmas morning to head up to Nana and Papa's.  After a nap for Maddy, the kids opened presents there.  We had a huge and delicious Christmas dinner, followed by one last visit from Santa.  As in year's past, we saved opening adult presents until after the kiddos went to bed.  We find it's much less chaotic and more relaxing.

Opening new bikes

The gift she had been waiting for...her American Girl doll, Kate.  Santa brought it to the last house!

 

Maddy was a little nervous and slowly crawled to Santa.  She did not want to get on his lap and just stayed on the ground on her knees.

Emery was the least impressed of the bunch.

 

 Saturday was spent playing and celebrating Christmas with the Zurcher family.  Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures!  Sunday morning, we took off to head home to drop off all of our presents and luggage and then went straight to the late service at our church (so I could work in the toddlers again).  All of our Christmas decorations came down on Sunday night.  It's always sad to see the twinkle lights go, but after over a month of having everything up I was ready to get back to normal.  We are looking forward to celebrating Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa Brauchler this week over New Year's.

 

Thanks to our family for all of the gifts and wonderful food!