A Christmas Full of Surprises

It's Christmas! What an amazing, wonderful day!

Kristin and James arrived late last night, much to the delight of their nieces and nephews (and us too!). James is a brilliant amateur photographer and was so kind as to take a bunch of pictures for us. You'll be able to tell the pictures that were taken with his quality camera vs. our iPhones. James' pictures are beautiful, just like the kiddos in them (we're totally biased).

Something magical about Christmas lights,

now all we need are some...

Children!

Can we open presents yet? Can we open presents yet?

M&Ms and Play-doh in a sock on the

fireplace? Strange, but he rolled with it.

After feeding him a cookie before breakfast,

Aunt Kristin become Jefferson's most favorite person.

The kids enjoyed playing with their stocking presents - play-doh and tsum tsums and candy, hooray - while the grown ups made breakfast. Kristin and James brought us rainbow bagels all the way from New York City. The girls have been looking forward to these for months.

Eleanor carefully inspected the bagels

to find the one with the most pink.

We added sprinkles to make

them even more fun.

Delicious!

After a yummy, colorful breakfast, it was time for presents. The kids were so excited to open their presents, but also to give each other presents. The girls have been doing chores and extra study assignments all month to earn spending money to buy each other presents. The first thing the girls wanted to do was to give their presents to the boys and then to each other.

Special delivery!

Captain America! Best sisters ever.

(Jefferson got his favorite super hero, Spiderman.)

TY stuffed animals! They both wanted these

so bad and were so surprised when they got them

for each other. Funny how that happens when you

get advice from the same Mom.

Jefferson admiring Mom's new pastasaurus spoon

(he's a big fan of anything that helps make food).

Science books! Thanks Aunt Eve and Uncle Jed!

Melinda, mommying.

Grad school girl.

Presents, presents, presents...

More presents!

TEA SET! She's so happy.

After a joyful morning watching four happy children exchange gifts and be surprised with new ways to learn and play, it was time for church. The program was beautiful - all music and hymns or celebration and worship. Even the kids didn't mind stepping away from their toys to hear the choir.

Looking dapper kiddos.

After church, we got to enjoy the best and biggest surprise of Christmas. Last week, Matt's sister Jessica found out she was going to get the week off of work. She booked a last minute flight to San Diego, arriving Christmas afternoon. But, we didn't tell Kristin and James. The shock, surprise, joy and tears when Jessica walked through the front door! It was the best moment of the day.