Our Christmas

 This year we got an Elf from Grandma and Grandpa Hymas 

for the 12 days of Christmas.

Every night the elf, named Trevor, got into things,

then he would hide the green bag for the kids.

One night he hid in the tub after having a beach party with Barbie.

On Christmas Eve we lit candles and read bits of Luke 2.

Then we watched a movie about it.

The kids were pretty eager to get to bed and very excited, 

as you can see on Elizabeth's face.

On Christmas Eve night, me and Brett finished up painting the train table

Brett made for the kids.

Luckily the baby slept well that night, so I was able to help finish it up.

This is what it looked like before the finishing touches.

And this is the finished product.  :)

It was fun to help Brett with one of his projects this time.

Kid's perspective..

Little cubbies built into the legs..

 All set for Christmas,

with Santa's stockings and all.

Isaac was pretty determined to get up early on Christmas day,

but then he ended up getting up later than usual, like around 8:15ish.

What the kids did first thing after getting up.

They were pretty excited.

 Can't see it too well, but we had the virtual fireplace going on

our computer with some Christmas music.

We also had the window open as it was a nice snowfall outside.

What an awesome Christmas!

It was pretty funny when the most excited each of them got 

was over the oranges they received in their stockings.

Elizabeth even screamed with excitement.  :b

This was the beginning of the present opening.

Elizabeth thought it was a good idea to wear her leotard for such an occasion..

 This was the end.  After Ethan's nap he was able to open

the rest of the things he got (after we had lunch).

It was nice because after each present the kids opened, 

they played with that thing for a while.

So it took us a few hours to get through all the presents.

Little Mr. Ethan hung out, watching the excitement.

Here's some of the things the kids got.

 All in all it was a good Christmas day,

even though Mommy ended up getting sick through the last half.

But Daddy was nice enough to let her have a nice nap.

And here's Mommy and Daddy's cute little early Christmas present.

-Our little Ethan boy.  :)