The Joy of Christmas Day!!

The 2017 Christmas day family photo attempt :).

Santa did not disappoint this year! Austin has been asking for a big fire truck to drive around and he got just that and the whole ensemble to go with it! Evie got a car of her own because the two of them fight over everything these days so it's best to go with two of everything to keep our sanity.... and even then they find ways to fight because now they want what the other person has, even when it's the same thing! Grrrrr..... Once we had all gotten dressed for the day, we went outside and took some family photos which is always an interesting experience.... haha!

Crazy 1 and Crazy 2....

Gotta love the Michael Jackson impersonation hahaha!

Oh how I love my babies!

We may not have it all together, but together we have it all.

Austin cheezing it haha!

Christmas morning was so wonderful. The whole day was a fabulous affair, but the morning was just us. It was quiet and happy. The kids were so excited to open all their gifts. Austin understood the process a little better than Evie so he was ripping into his gifts while she watched and munched on candy. We had to keep reminding her that she had gifts to open too! haha!

Too cool for school in his new fire truck!

Evie going to town on all that candy!

So many options.... so little time...

Blowing us a kiss before she took off in her new car!

Baby girl was pretty stoked about her new furry boots! She looks so stylish coming out of that pink car! haha!

Now add the glasses and she is ready to go!

Daddy got Mama a new Emerald ring! LOVE!!! (Excuse my ugly makeup-less face)

Helping Daddy open up his gifts.

Then they came over and helped me open up all mine! haha!

This fire truck was a dream come true for this little boy. It made my heart so happy!

After all the gifts were opened, we ate breakfast and just relaxed the rest of the morning. The house was so happy as the kids played around me while I prepared Christmas dinner for our family who was coming over that afternoon. Josh took a nap and we all just enjoyed the day while listening to Christmas music :).

Once all of our Grandparents and Great Grandparents showed up, along with Aunt Briana and her friend, the second phase of our party began! This time, much more lively and jam packed with more presents! Austin started getting overwhelmed with all the gifts and couldn't decide which he wanted to play with more. Evie was just happy to be alive (as usual) and was having a grand ol' time being adorable and getting loves from everyone.

Laughing, Talking, and Opening Lots and Lots of Presents!

Welcoming the crew at the door! Evie just adores Aunt Nana!

So many Grandparents and Great Grandparents! Our kids are so incredibly lucky!

But Grandma Jill is the all time favorite. She basically spoils them rotten so I'm sure that's a big reason why ;).

Mr. Mischievous playing with the nativity scene.

Mama helping Sis open her gift! What could it be?!

Filling his fire truck up with gas :)

Giving Grandma her present from our family. This year I got all the grandparents coffee/hot cocoa mugs with a picture of the kids engraved on it and some printed family pictures of us for them to frame and hang up :).

Great Grandma and Grandpa Porter aren't actually related to us by blood (they are my Step-Dad's parents) but they have always been there for us and are always present at every party. I love them so much for that!

Silly Daddy!

Stealing brother's fireman hat.

Austin really did get the coolest gifts!

 

Dinner is Served!

Chipmonking it as usual... just like her Dad! Except she actually spits out all the food once her cheeks get too full.

This was the first year we had a kiddie table! Austin didn't like being separated from all the adults so Grandma Jill ended up sitting there with them.

Lots of good food and good company :).

Oh how I love my sweet Grandma Helm.

After our wonderful company had left and my exhausted body finished cleaning up all the mess, we dragged our tired selves off to bed, dreaming sweet dreams of how blessed a life we truly live. 

This has been a rough month as far as health and stress goes for Josh and I, but together we've mad it through with more strength and love than ever before!