good 'ol fashioned family fun christmas*

This year we spent Christmas in Minnesota rather than traveling to Nebraska like we usually do. While we missed our families it was relaxing to be home and it was fun to start some new traditions. On Christmas Eve we attended our church's Christmas Eve service. It was a really nice service but Thomas and Elle were so disappointed when they weren't allowed to hold a candle during the candlelight part of the service at the end. Insurance rules didn't allow anyone under the age of 15 to hold a candle. It took a couple of minutes for the pastor to go through the required information on exactly how to go about lighting our candles. Thomas and Elle like the firecode laws at Grandma Betty's church a lot better! :)

After church we came home and had soup for dinner and the kids exchanged the gifts they had found for each other. Then we read our last night's reading from Jotham's Journey. It was such a great Advent story to read. (Thank you Mom for giving it to us to read!) We then tucked them into their sleeping bags by their Christmas tree upstairs in the school/play area.

Then Santa and Mrs. Clause went to work putting together the little toy kitchen for Ava. I wish I would've grabbed the camera to take a picture of that! There were so many pieces and it took a long time to put together. I'm glad Santa is so patient!

On Christmas morning I heard Thomas and Elle up chatting at 6:00. Ava woke up at 7:00. After that, all 3 of them came in our room to get us up. I love this picture Scott took of the kids when they first saw the gifts under the tree. So excited and happy! The best gift for me is definitely to enjoy the excitement of Christmas through the kids' eyes.

Look at that hair! That girl gets some major bed head. She loves cooking with her new kitchen. It was totally worth the 2 hours to put it together. Right Honey?! :)

Thomas and Elle each got a Nintendo DS from Santa. They are having so much fun with them.

Elle has been designing all kinds of amazing outfits with her fashion designer from Grandpa and Grandma!

We know right where this sign is going to get hung up in Thomas's room. You can never go wrong with Husker stuff for Thomas!

A new puppy for little Ava to cuddle.

Christmas breakfast was pancakes but they were no comparison to Grandpa Dale's waffles and Grandma Jan's hot apple cider. :) Scott made maple sausage links and eggs. I think the mimosas are a tradition to continue with for sure though!

It was a great Christmas! We are looking forward to ringing in a new year.

*I got the post title from the National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Scott and I watch that movie every Christmas season. Such a classic and always funny!