Christmas Eve

We've opened gifts on my side of the family on Christmas Eve for many, many years, but we planned this year to let the kids open presents at Gigi and Hidy's house at their best time of the day--in the morning!

However, I might have failed to mention this or remind David in the days leading up to Christmas Eve, because the day before when I said something about it, he said, "I have to work tomorrow."

Oops. So I talked to the kids and we decided to wait until Daddy came to open their presents.
Zoe started first (actually before any adults were in the room) and she opened one of the things from us--we wanted to get her a Sit-n-Spin because we've had Lauren's hand-me-down one forever.

Maya got a soccer ball
and a necklace that Allison made her (and her face matched Amy's, I'm told)

Maya was delighted with her new Curious George duds

and we got Mason a Dinoco helicopter that Mater pops out of
and before Zoe opened this present, she said "I'm going to get a soccer ball!" (She recognized the shape of the package after Maya opened hers.)
When Mason opened his Dinoco 400 set, Gabriel said, "I want one of those!"
Zoe got some books
and some clothes
and we got her some alphabet board book blocks like the ones at our house that Allison admired
we found some cute cupcake things for Lala

and some Maya & Miguel Maya toys for Maya. (Amy reports that she especially likes the accessories--a table and chairs with chips, salsa, and guacamole--but she calls them something else--what was it, Amy?)
Mason was really impressed with his new boots
and Gabe's "gift tag" on the present we gave him.
Either Maya or Zoe opened a Beetle and then the other one wanted it, so we had to hurry and find the other one so they could both enjoy them!

When Maya opened her Dora castle, she said, "I'm so lucky!" and Zoe said, "That's for sharing!"

Our kids were waiting patiently and David got there about noon.
Once David arrived, they started opening their presents. Paloma knew just what to do with the necklace Allison made for her.
Carmen was excited about the scooter from Gigi & Hidy
and the roll-out piano keyboard from Amy
as well as the Barbie princess & prince and DVD from Gigi.
Gabe was happy and relieved to get his own Dinoco 400 set from Allison
and Carmen wanted to check them out, too!
Carmen liked her "Anything Boys Can Do Girls Can Do Better" shirt from Allison
and by the point she opened her Dora software from Amy, Paloma was more interested in crackers (but it's not like she knew what good that box was for, anyway! However, she had played and enjoyed this game at the Apple store, so we knew she'd love it!)
Gabe was thrilled to get his own scooter from Gigi & Hidy
and Paloma liked her new jeans so much she tried to put them on--over her clothes and shoes. She was still wearing them like this when it was her turn again.
Zoe enjoyed Mason's new Mr. Incredible (you can tell she's doing his deep voice) while the other kids opened presents.
Everybody wanted to check out the Cars software from Amy--boy oh boy is that going to be fun!
Speaking of fun--who wouldn't like a remote control car?

Carmen got a Barbie baby photographer complete with a tripod and baby costumes! Was this really a present for her mom? Gigi?

Paloma showed how we were all feeling--tired and overwhelmed by all of the material blessings.

Even Brian was tired!

So after the kids finished opening gifts, we had lunch and went home for naps. Then we went to church, where Carmen and Gabriel were singing again at the 5 o'clock service.

We came back after church for a dinner of chicken enchilada soup and then adults started opening presents.
Mom tried on her new coat
Mom got me this beautiful red velvet purse
Lauren and Devin were forced to share the armchair since we were all crammed in the room.
Devin opened a special gift: an orange. The guys were teasing him about something they heard at dinner--Mom said something reminded her of the shower game where you pass an orange from person to person using only necks--and Devin said something about football and showers--and Brian said something about how that wasn't what football was like when he was in it--anyway it started a lot of teasting at dinner and continued through the night.
I got Dad the Across the Universe soundtrack that I've been enjoying so much (thanks to Charis)
and some purple satin pajamas for Mom that just had her name on them when I saw them.
David got the biggest gift of the day-- a new grill! We have needed to replace our old one, one he got when he was covering the Branch Davidians/ David Koresh thing outside of Killeen (where he basically lived on the side of the road with a satellite truck for months).

After we were mostly finished opening presents, my aunt Sissy, her husband Charlie, my cousin Debbie & her family came over to visit. We used to always celebrate together, but not as much since I've had kids. It is Sissy's house that I associate my childhood Christmases with. We usually stayed at her house, which had stairs and a real fireplace, and she spoiled us rotten!

Mom & Sissy exchanged gifts.
It was nice to see Andrea home from UT!
Charlie was dressed and ready to go to work when he arrived
(He works security at WalMart.)
It was also fun to see Bethany, although I didn't get to talk to her much.
Debbie gave our kids an Ant Farm! We are looking forward to the weather getting warmer so we can send off for our ants!
Hidy & Zoe read her Ant Cities book (Debbie got her an Ant Farm, and Mason & Maya too).

After dinner, Mom had a few more presents for the kids to open. (She can't help it, it's her love language.) Mason was excited for Paloma about her Crayola quilt
and Paloma had to give it a hug!
Paloma opened her present from Gigi--a Backyardigans circus! All 3 kids have been enjoying it.

We didn't leave until after 10, and David & I had miles to go before we slept, but we're grateful for the day, the food, the gifts, and the blessings of family that we were able to share for most of the day together.