Merry Christmas!

I put on Nathan and Charlotte's Christmas pajamas at Mama and Papa's house. When we got home Nathan got Santa's cookies and milk ready and we sprinkled our reindeer food outside on the yard. We talked again about what Santa MIGHT bring to Nathan, and then he reminded us about his idea on how to get a new bike. Several months ago, I ran over Nathan's bike with my car. Wayne pretty much fixed it so that Nathan could ride it, but the wheels were still pretty messed up. Anyway, Nathan said that we should be the old bike by the tree so that when Santa came, he would see that Nathan's bike was messed up and realize he needed a new one. Wayne and I thought that was so clever! So we got his bike set up in front of the tree and then they both went to sleep on a pallet on our floor. That's when Santa worked his magic!

When Nathan and Charlotte woke up, they were so excited to see what Santa brought! Charlotte got her new kitchen that Nathan suggested. And Nathan got a bike and a huge Optimus Prime. Every time Wayne took Nathan to the toy store, Nathan was always mesmerized by this toy. He knew it was a pretty major toy and not one Daddy was going to buy on a regular trip to the store. He always said, "Maybe Santa will bring it to me." And that was 6 months before Christmas!

Mommy and Daddy got Charlotte a grocery cart and extra food, and Nathan got tons of new Transformers, super hero action figures, a remote control car that flips over when it hits something, and two books.

When it was time for lunch, Mama, Papa, Grandmother, Aunt Jen, and Grandma all came over for Christmas lunch. I fixed a roast, mashed potatoes, and rolls. According to my dad, the roast was super tender and the rolls were the best he's ever had! I'm pretty sure everyone had happy tummies! Nathan and Charlotte loved showing off their new toys, and we loved seeing them both so happy. Wayne and I were so relieved that they were so happy with what we got them!

I'll never forget what Nathan said after he opened all of his presents: "Santa is a miracle!" When Wayne and I asked him what that meant he said, "A miracle is when you are really happy." Merry Christmas to the two sweetest  kids I know!

Christmas Eve at Mama's

The day Nathan has been waiting for is finally here! Santa is coming tomorrow! Nathan has been preparing for Christmas for months now...figuring out just what toys to ask for, what he should ask Santa to get Charlotte, "researching" new toys in catalogs, changing his mind back and forth, and most importantly...trying so hard to be good! In fact, he has loved having his elf, "Melf" here at our house and finding him every morning, but the pressure of knowing that Melf is watching his every move and reporting back to Santa was a lot for him to handle. The other day Nathan was being naughty and not sharing with Charlotte. I reminded him that Melf was watching, and he said with a big sigh, "When is Melf not going to be here anymore?" I just about died laughing!

On Christmas Eve, Helen came over to our house and then we went to our church for their candlelight service. Charlotte fell asleep on the way to church and stayed asleep in my arms for the first 30 minutes, which was really nice! But when she woke up, she saw that right behind me was a brand new baby (being held by her grandmother). Charlotte kept trying to give her kisses, pointing to her, showing me and Wayne there was a baby right behind us, and wanting to touch her! After the service, we headed to Mama and Papa's house. Aunt Jen and Grandma were also there. Mama made us vegetable soup, cornbread, rum cake, bread pudding, and several appetizers. Yum!

Then it was time to open presents! Nathan played Santa and passed out every one's presents. He couldn't wait to get his hands into the wrapping paper of his gifts!

Charlotte went first. She got this cute little trinket box from Mama. It's in the shape of a cupcake. When you turn it on, it has a candle that "lights" up. And when you blow on it, it actually turns off. it is the cutest thing and Charlotte had so much fun trying to blow it out. She also got a bunch of dress up jewelry, a feather boa, a jewelry box with a ballerina, and a rainbow hair extension from Mama and Papa! Aunt Jen gave her a purse and glove set, a set of princess lipsticks (chap stick) which she absolutely loves, and a bottle for her babies. And Auntie  Carrie gave her a new baby doll. Plus she got a Toys R Us gift card from Aunt Lisa and Aunt Missy. She was one happy girl!

Nathan got the much wanted Bat Cave from Mama and Papa, a big Bumblebee Transformer from Aunt Jen (he has been wanting this FOREVER) and a tracing machine from Auntie Carrie which is great because he loves to draw and color so much. He also got the same gift cards from Aunt Lisa and Aunt Missy...he's already asking when he gets to go to Toys R Us to spend them!!! 

We had so much fun! Thank you to everyone for such great gifts!