Christmas 2022

It's been a flurry of commotion and excitement these last two days, and now that everyone's fast asleep upstairs, I had some time to reflect.

Memere and Pepere arrived yesterday, and we spent the afternoon playing a new game and watching football. We went to Mass in the evening, and my heart was more full than the church (even though it was overpacked, and we stood up in a side aisle the entire time). CC was an altar server, and got another shout-out from our pastor.

After Mass we went to Grandma and Grandpa's house for a lovely Christmas Even dinner. It was such a nice way to spend the night before Christmas. 

After getting home and putting the kids to bed, we got the presents ready and my mom and I prepped a coffee cake and a breakfast casserole for breakfast.

Early this morning, MJ and I were up, popping the food in the oven and enjoying the calm before the storm. At 6:30 sharp, the kids stampeded down the stairs (they said they'd been up since 3 am), barely paused to give me Christmas hugs, and tackled their presents. There were so many squeals of excitement, punctuated by yells of OH MY GOSH and LET'S GO (Little Man's new expression for "amazing!").

The rest of the day was spent opening new toys, reading directions, lounging in our pajamas, cleaning up wrapping paper and ribbon, and snacking. Amber swiped a ton of candy and enjoyed several varieties of bones. And later, Grandma and Grandpa came over to exchange gifts and share a delicious dinner with us.

Gift highlights for the kids: interactive stuffed animals, video games, Lego sets galore, arts and crafts, an iPad, a Kindle, and season passes to our local amusement park.

"Best Christmas ever!" the kids told me several times during the day.

"You say that every year," I reminded them. "And I hope you always do!"

Truly, we are so very blessed.