Now: There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays

This year we avoided the nightmare of holiday travel, and had a wonderfully relaxing Christmas at home. We spent Christmas Eve across the street at Marc's parents' house, and had a great time with family and friends. As always, Santa stopped by to remind the kids to get to bed early so that he could come back later. Jack and Sam loved spending time with their cousins, as well as the Rhode Island relatives that we don't get to see as often as we'd like. I just wish we could be in two places at once so that we could see EVERYONE that we'd love to see at Christmastime.

My babies

Kasey was so excited about Santa; Jack, not so much.

Baby Blue Eyes

Magic

Christmas Day was filled with magic, and I don't care if that sounds cheesy because it's true! The kids had such fun in anticipation of Christmas morning. I caved and started doing the elf on a shelf this year. I guess it was worth it, though, because both kids absolutely loved finding "Digger Dumper" each morning. Sam really got a kick out of finding him, and I think he may have been a little bummed when Digger stopped showing up. The best mornings were when Sam would see Digger before Jack, and he'd be SO excited to show his big brother where to find the elf. Between Digger and baking cookies, then putting them out for Santa (along with carrots for EACH reindeer), and the visits with Santa, the kids were really into the Christmas spirit this year. Well, Jack was, anyway. Sam knew that something exciting was happening, but he is still to young to really understand all of it. The presents were fun, but all of the excitement remains the loveliest part of the holiday season.

Santa came!

 

Opening his slinky from Santa Claus.

Love, love, love the Christmas morning mess.

Jack helps Sammy open a gift from Santa.

Marc made a DELICIOUS breakfast for the four of us.

Still Christmas morning, but note the new jammies; Jack only asked for one thing from Santa: a submarine that goes in the bathtub. When he saw that Santa brought one, he needed to take a bath IMMEDIATELY.

New hat from Auntie Pat

Sam's Auntie Pat hat

A bonus pic of Sammo in day-after-Christmas jammies