Last weekend we celebrated an early Christmas with my family!
My parents graciously hosted all 18 of us along with one of Mary and Hart's sweet friends.
After having family pictures on Saturday morning the present opening began.
I always enjoy watching everyone's reactions and excitement as they give and receive.
We have much, much, much to be thankful for.
It was special to have my great grandmother join us.
A Vietnamese hat anyone??
One of the most creative gifts was given by Mary and Hart....
...personalized superhero capes for all the cousins!! They were a HUGE hit and absolutely darling!
Hannah was into her trains,
while Molly Jane loved her Bitty Baby.
This is her super excited face.
Sara and Bradley gave her the perfect book....Little Mommy. They first thing she did with it was climb into her baby pack n play and start reading it to her. Such a little mommy.
After all the present opening the super hero's enjoyed a scrumptious lunch cooked by Gigi.
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The afternoon was filled with rest and naps before heading to dinner at Cracker Barrel and then the
FANTASY LIGHTS AT CALLAWAY!!!!!
The kids were pumped to say the least about some hot chocolate and the trolly ride.
Who wouldn't?
They were at the perfect age to see the lights. Seeing it with the kids made it 10x more fun.
Molly Jane was attached to my dad the whole night although I don't think he minded too much:)
She had a death grip on the seat in front of her the entire trolly ride. She was intensely watching every minute of the lights. She cracked us all up but yet she did not crack a smile the whole time.
We finished the evening by watching and listening to the story of the birth of our Savior. All the presents, lights, family, traditions are fun but the most important thing is that Christ was born as a baby to come to earth to save us from our sins.
"For us and for our salvation...he came down" (The Nicene Creed)
What wonderful news! May you know the true joy of Christmas!