Christmas Christmas Time Is Here!

Okay--Here comes the looooong Christmas post!

With all the fun we've been having since Thanksgiving, it took us forever to get our house all ready for Christmas. We ended up having to hire one of those companies to put the lights up on our house even--seriously. And then we finally got an actual Christmas tree the week of Christmas. It was a little chaotic decorating with the babies. Matt really wanted them to get into it with looking at the ornaments, putting them on the tree, etc.--but they were more into taking the ornaments off the tree and pulling on all the branches instead. Next year should be more like the special decorating the tree time Matt is looking forward to. It was still really cute though, the involvement we did get from them...

This is one of my favorite pictures of Cole. He's so serious doing his part decorating next to Daddy!

We had a White Christmas for sure! It didn't snow on actual Christmas--but it dumped plenty on the days leading up to the 25th, so we saw white all over through the festivities. The timing wasn't so great with one of the snows--it happened the day all our Kansas family was driving in. Normally we could just let it go and not have to be out in it, but we needed a clear driveway for family to park and walk in! So out Matt went with our measly snow shovel. Ummmm--At that rate, he might've been done by the next day???!...
Luckily we have a really nice neighbor who lent us his snow blower. A life saver. The cookies I was making inside while Matt worked outside, immediately then went to our sweet neighbors instead! A snow blower is on our "to get" list of the New Year for sure!

Christmas Eve we had our "Wyman/Kraus/Dreher/Petersen" Christmas. Really, we didn't need to have any more Christmases after that--Really, we're good with toys for the next couple Christmases probably! It was a really fun Christmas Eve!

Camryn was sure to give Mario one of his presents...

You can't beat some wonderful bones and treats from Tiger!
(Again, Camryn takes her job very seriously helping Mario with his presents...!)
Pooh Bear from Aunt Carol!
Anything Mickey Mouse is going to be awesome...

Also, anything Jayhawk is going to be equally awesome too...
"Ball Ball Ball Ball!"
Sesame Street characters!!


Time to open the amazing KITCHEN!!
...and back to all our characters...


The "shakey shakies" in the drum set from Aunt Stacey are quite the hit...



...Too much fun with everything...

It took them longer than I thought, but eventually they did finally get overwhelmed...
No doubt Mario was overwhelmed from the fun Christmas Eve!

The timing worked out great. Once we were satisfied with all our playing for the night, we got on our matching Mickey Christmas Eve jammies, had our milk and got ready for bed and ready for Santa to come. We continued to track him online throughout the afternoon/evening. I think by the time all the kiddos got to bed Santa was in Brazil...!
A little Christmas Eve snuggle :) :)

In addition to tracking Santa diligently, Fisher also made sure to leave out treats for Santa and the reindeer. Even more special was the picture he colored for Santa. We were certain Santa was going to take the picture back to the North Pole with him!

After most went to bed, I enjoyed my own Christmas Eve night watching "White Christmas" (my most favorite Christmas movie along with "Love Actually", of course!) while my Mom and I made yummy breakfasts to set overnight for the next morning. I also enjoyed another winter favorite of dark hot chocolate with kahlua! From there I got on my own Christmas Eve jammies and snuggled up in bed watching The Nutcracker ballet marathon on the Ovation Channel. Matt doesn't necessarily partake in all of my traditions exactly like that. He enjoys beer, watching some of a Christmas Story, and has a wonderful deep sleep while I watch The Nutcracker. It was all PERFECT!!!!

Christmas Morning!! Wouldn't you know Santa and his reindeer enjoyed our treats AND took Fisher's picture!

Coming down the stairs to see what Santa brought...


Now THIS is a fantastic DISPLAY!

(Fisher had already woken up about an hour earlier to run down and see his display from Santa!)

Some of the very yummy breakfast we all enjoyed
Present opening time!

Cam had BIG Christmas hugs for her Minnie!
Mario had a great time with his bones Santa brought him
Jayhawks and Mickey/Minnie's from Daddy and Nana and Papa. So awesome!






We quickly hit the point of overwhelming-ness that morning. The babies went up for a nap and Matt and I had fun opening some of our presents...(Mario got his stocking too)

We also started in on all the cooking for our first big, nice Christmas dinner at our new house. We loved having everyone here celebrating in our new home!

The babies had their own Christmas lunch while preparations were still being made. They played with their toys some more and then it was time for their afternoon nap. They were ready for that a bit earlier this day---It was all big fun, they were worn out! The timing worked out well, though. As soon as they went down for their nap, it was time for our Christmas lunch/dinner. It was really nice for the babies to have their time earlier with everyone and then Matt and I were able to sit and enjoy our real Christmas lunch/dinner as well.

Grammy and Maya had a good time at the "kids table"

The kids also liked watching Home Alone (who doesn't love that movie!). Fisher isn't a fan of when one of the robbers steps on all the nails...!
Later that evening we had yummy pies for dessert. Jennifer, Maggie and Anne introduced the babies to Papa's favorite--"Topping". Clearly Cole and Cam are fans of Cool Whip!

It was such a special Christmas this year. We had such a great time with everyone here :) :)