Christmas morning was filled with excitement. It was everything a Christmas morning should be. We woke up early, but not too early, read books about Jesus and how the favorite Christmas Story is His story. We said a prayer as a family giving thanks for the blessings we have, for our family, our home, our opportunity to be together, for all the things we would be able to give and receive that day, and for the greatest gift of the Savior.
Pictures on the stairs and then it was time that we had all been anticipating!
Lydia had carefully created gifts for each of us, and the other kids had also put in effort to purchase or make gifts. Some of the favorites were a cardboard car racing track, a custom book bag (with personalized bookmarks), and a hand-written Christmas-themed cook book of all our favorite recipes.
The kids were happy and gracious receivers. Hot Wheels tracks, robot dogs, dolls, containers of cut-up cardboard, books, basketballs, and electric toy boats.
We were unhurried, taking our time savoring each gift and being equally excited for those around us as we were for ourselves. Because our church is at 9:00 and Christmas fell on a Sunday this year - we paused halfway through our gift opening to get dressed and attend a lovely music-filled Sacrament Meeting.
We came back, finished opening our gifts and without even cleaning up one piece of wrapping paper - we hopped in the car and headed to the Peaden Home for the rest of our Christmas Day. We wouldn't end up coming home (except for once to drop off a load of Christmas presents) until New Years Day.
We came back, finished opening our gifts and without even cleaning up one piece of wrapping paper - we hopped in the car and headed to the Peaden Home for the rest of our Christmas Day. We wouldn't end up coming home (except for once to drop off a load of Christmas presents) until New Years Day.
The perfect start to our Christmas Day!
