Christmas Day

Christmas morning may be my favorite day of the entire year. I have been soaking in the emotions and excitement that this time of year brings out in a child. The magic of Santa. The holiday events. The traditions being established. And it will only get better these next few years, when Natalie knows a little more about what's going on too!

Nico's big present from Santa was an electric scooter. He was pretty pumped, despite not even knowing yet that it goes up to 10 mph.

He's so cute.

I think it's hilarious that the best reaction to a present this year was actually when he opened these tiny referee guys that go to this Playmobil hockey set he has. Ha!

Natalie woke up, full of smiles, just as Nico was finishing opening his stocking. It was so heart warming to be able to wish her a 1st Merry Christmas.

She was full of wide eyed stares at everything going on around her. It's like she knew something was up!

The next 3 pictures highlight his genuine excitement over football padded pants.

Natalie may have loved the wrapping paper the best.

That smile...

Santa must have thought that she was a very good girl.

And this guy was apparently a good boy again this year!

I was brought to tears over holding this ornament featuring our little family of 4 that I have always hoped and dreamed to have. David picks out the best ornaments.

Once all of the presents were opened, there was no stopping Nico from trying out his new scooter up and down the street.

Her cute Christmas morning outfit that David couldn't stand. Ha. He hates these "busy" outfits. Luckily, she only wore it a couple hours, since I was too paranoid to let her nap in it for fear of choking on a bow or something.

We went over to my parents about 10 am for my dad's annual French toast, more present opening, and a day full of fun with the family.

His nerf gun, Power Rangers costume, and legos were some of Nico's other favorite gifts. He was excited to have a few big time nerf guns now so we can have a family war...

We all went in to get my parents a Michigan State cornhole set and giant outdoor jenga set for our many summers at the lakehouse.

Natalie's highlights were cute clothes, a Minnie Mouse ball pit, activity table, and eating supplies!

The one gift that he knows he will get every year... Xbox FIFA.

This is about the moment we are making fun of my dad for picking up every scrap of Christmas paper and folding down boxes immediately when the last gift is opened.

A lot of football was played out back in the 75 degree weather. Nico brought over his new football attire, cleats, and glow in the dark football (in addition to the scooter and many other things.) It's like packing for a whole week just to get out of the house with this guy!

We had our big meal in the middle of the afternoon, and my mom's cooking was great as always.

Things got a little wild when the Pie Face game was brought out. Whipped cream started getting all over, and we even gave Natalie a few belly kisses with it on her. I think my mom walked in right at the peak of the mess, and we got "the look." Ha. It wasn't too long before we took it outside!

They sure became buddies this trip.

 Another memorable Christmas in the books. Couldn't ask for more.

Christmas Eve

We had a perfect, lazy Christmas Eve morning filled with watching Home Alone, drinking hot chocolate/coffee, doing puzzles and playing games, and staying in our pajamas! The festivities with the others were set to begin mid afternoon, once Ryan, JHam, and Grandma Phyll made the trip down from Dallas.

We went over to my parents house for a few hours to hang out before our memorable trek downtown.

This Christmas was special, not just because it's Natalie's FIRST, but also because there haven't been many years that we have spent it with my grandma. My parents decided to bring her down and give her a taste of our craziness before she moves here permanently next month.

It wasn't long before jenga was brought out.

These two love their Aunt Jess and Uncle Ryan. Nico followed Ryan around the whole weekend, and Natalie was never too far away from her baby fevered aunt!

Our first stop was the Driskell Hotel to have a drink before dinner. We started going down to this Austin hotspot a couple of years ago, and it's become a tradition now that I look forward to every year. The lobby is decorated so pretty with their giant tree, and it's just a fancy place to be!

I wasn't leaving until we took a family photo in front of the tree. And bonus, everyone is looking at the camera. A true Christmas miracle.

The highlight of the night was our AMAZING dinner at Eddie V's! My parents sure spoiled us with this big time dinner this year. We are so fortunate. It was fun to mix things up and go out for Christmas Eve this year. The kids made us proud and couldn't have been better behaved. It was a wonderful meal with wonderful company.

The after party was brought back to our house, and things got pretty funny and borderline out of control.

Here's Nico and Ryan playing with our new light laser system. It's become a popular way to decorate your outdoors with minimal effort involved.

 

My mom may have had the most fun of any of us this night and showed off her dance moves on multiple occasions. We had the music going, and the drinks were flowin'. She was cracking us up and provided a high level of entertainment!

 

 

 

It wasn't long before Ryan and Nico's "Hey ladies, which way to the monkey bar" routine happened, followed by the two ripping their shirts off and dancing. 

 

 

We joked that they were Magic Mike dancers as they were taking their shirts off and swinging them around, and then someone found that movie on tv. (Ignore the inappropriate tv scene in the background. It happened to be during a stripper dance. Ooops! Luckily, Nico had no idea what was on.) These two are just hilarious together, and the first few seconds of this clip are my favorite, as Nico yells, "Woooo!"

 

We kicked everyone out around 10 pm, because we needed to get our sleep if Santa was to come. Nico put out cookies, milk, and carrots for the reindeer, and he may have passed out within 10 seconds of his head hitting the pillow.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night...