I hereby proclaim that I am not ashamed at the amount of pictures in this post. Peruse at your own will.
Let the unwrapping ensue!
Our family tradition, which we started 3 years ago, is to watch each kid open each present. We came up with an order a few weeks ago, which has been displayed on the whiteboard every since. We like watching each child open, and exclaiming over what they got, giving compliments, and just lengthening the excitement. It works because we only give 5 presents to each kid. Jared always gets to be Santa, so to speak, while I take pictures and generally express happiness at the kids' new treasures-not a bad job for either of us!
First in the line-up! Sara realizes, based on the refill package, that she is likely getting a set of kinetic sand ;)
Jordan's up--Bey Blades! A case plus new bey, complete with rip cord, etc. I don't think the boys expected bey blades-I was pretty clear last month that I was frustrated they weren't being careful with the ones they already have.
James is up! He personally picked this out, and has been waiting for a loooooong time to actually open it! James LOVES Handy Manny, so this took set was just perfect for him!
Jackson is getting in on the fun as well, ripping open his own toddler-sized tool set!
Karianna finally gets her second rainbow loom so she can make some of the more intricate designs that require two looms.
JD's first present also ends up being bey blades-and at this point, it gets too hard to catch everyone in their own turn, so let the random pictures begin!
She was convinced this was a hula hoop, and you could totally tell she was trying to have a good attitude over something she probably wasn't too excited about. She was uber-ecstatic when she realized it was a saucer chair-a furry one at that!-and I daresay this ended up being her favorite gift-completely unexpected! That's hard to pull off with an 11 year old who had a very specific list!
True blue Karianna right there!
Love JD's reaction at Ninjago stuff!!!
Not even done opening, and already pulling out the bey blades and ripping them across the floor!
Karianna's big present-her new rollerblades! I'm so excited for her to master these. She is a little nervous about them, but I am sure she is going to fall in love with them....and I'm excited to rollerblade with her!
Sara's big gift-a HUGE marble machine!
James and Jackson's big present-a sand/bean table!
JD and Jordan's big present: a TABLET! Oh, they were NOT expecting this!!
And in a flurry of wrapping paper, and over the course of maybe 45 minutes, everything was opened, and done. Kids started to disperse, and it gave Jared and I a chance to sit down and open a few gifts with each kiddo in turn. Those are sweet moments. Jared got me the best Christmas gift ever a month ago with my new Nikon and tripod, and I got him a few smaller things that he really wanted-I think he was pretty happy, and I like giving him things that make him such.
She immediately set up her chair and thinks she is so cool-which she is :)
Just a super fun morning of unwrapping gifts, spending time together, and appreciating our family as a whole. I am glad we spent the past month singing spiritual Christmas songs, learning about the birth of the Savior, and connecting it to our lives, as that really is the pinnacle of the Christmas holidays--yet, the gift-giving tends to take over just a bit ;)
We really are so grateful for Jesus Christ and the role he plays in our lives. So many of our decisions come down to a matter of prayer, and we know the Lord has directed us in all things, from great to small. We remember him and his entire life on this day, and as noted in the song Karianna and I sang just a few weeks ago in church, we resolve to ask ourselves daily, "Do you have room for the Savior?" I know my Christmas posts are never-ending, but Merry Christmas to everyone, and may the Lord bless you and yours.
