We celebrated several times and soaked up lots of time with family starting Christmas Eve. We hosted some family for dinner on Christmas Eve and the kids were spoiled by lots of family getting new babies, Legos, animals, books and all sorts of fun things. The kids were so wound up, but also knew they had to get to bed so Santa would come.
Santa did come after we were all in bed and Ben even heard him! Ben was telling us something later on Christmas Day and all of a sudden remembered - "I heard Santa last night! It was around 10:30 and I heard him banging! Must have been getting all of those toys down our chimney!" He was so please with himself and Mom was able to confirm that she had heard the noise too and it must have been Santa.
The kids were eager to get up Christmas morning and started with their stockings. They raced to the tree next where Santa had left them some larger items. There were quite a few excited yells and lots of "open this - I want to play with this right now!". We did more family gifts and then went to church. The kids normally don't go to "grownup" church so that was a special treat. They were given nativity activity books, so that helped, but also really enjoyed the music and taking it all in.
After some rest time, Grandma Lyn and Grandpa David came over for more presents and dinner. We decided to do breakfast for dinner since we had a more traditional meal the night before. The kids enjoyed getting to eat pancakes and it was nice to have something a little different. The kids opened probably every toy they got and had the living room covered with new fun. It was the year of dolls, dress-up and princesses for Elizabeth and the year of Legos and cars for Ben (for the most part anyway). Ben had assembled four new race cars by the time Grandma and Grandpa left and Elizabeth had on several pieces of dress-up clothing.
We enjoyed a couple days of downtime after Christmas to enjoy our new things, celebrate some time off, and just play. We got to see The Muppets which the kids loved, do a little shopping, but mostly just enjoyed lots of playing.
Later in the week we headed to Lawrence to see Grandma Elaine, Grandpa Larry and all of Dad's family. We enjoyed a belated Christmas morning with more gifts and a delicious Christmas dinner where we discovered that both kids love pork tenderloin. Thanks Uncle Dusty and Grandma Elaine! The kids really hadn't brought anything from home and it was good they didn't. There was plenty more to play with! They put together all sorts of toys and took over most of the downstairs. They played hard and soaked up all this time with our Kansas family.
We were also fortunate enough to be blessed with tickets to the basketball game while we were in town. We were able to take both Ben and Elizabeth and it turned out to be a really great decision. We had awesome seats from a family friend and the kids didn't take their eyes off of the court from the time we walked in.
This was the best picture we were able to get as they didn't want to miss a thing. The game hadn't even started at this point! They were awesome fans, and Ben didn't miss a beat cheering and following each move along the way. His favorite discovery were the antics that took place behind the baskets when the other team was shooting a free throw. Our fans only "tricked them" one time and made them miss, but Ben loved to watch the different things the students did. Elizabeth wanted to see the Jayhawk at all times. When he would walk around or go on break she would panic until she spotted him again. She wore her cheerleader outfit and probably cheered more for the actual Jayhawk than the players, but had a great time. Mom even tried to get the kids to check out the basketball museum when there wasn't much time left in the game and it was obvious KU was going to win. Ben looked confused and said, "but Mom, there is still time left." Mom responded that the game was pretty much over because of the score and he said, "no it isn't, Mom. There is still time left to watch." A true fan! We didn't peel them away until the stands were nearly empty and we were about to get asked to leave.
We are really so blessed and thankful to have celebrated such a fun Christmas this year. The kids are really starting to understand that we do this for each other to remember and celebrate Jesus and his birthday as well as soaking up the magic of the season as well. Such fun!
Santa did come after we were all in bed and Ben even heard him! Ben was telling us something later on Christmas Day and all of a sudden remembered - "I heard Santa last night! It was around 10:30 and I heard him banging! Must have been getting all of those toys down our chimney!" He was so please with himself and Mom was able to confirm that she had heard the noise too and it must have been Santa.
The kids were eager to get up Christmas morning and started with their stockings. They raced to the tree next where Santa had left them some larger items. There were quite a few excited yells and lots of "open this - I want to play with this right now!". We did more family gifts and then went to church. The kids normally don't go to "grownup" church so that was a special treat. They were given nativity activity books, so that helped, but also really enjoyed the music and taking it all in.
After some rest time, Grandma Lyn and Grandpa David came over for more presents and dinner. We decided to do breakfast for dinner since we had a more traditional meal the night before. The kids enjoyed getting to eat pancakes and it was nice to have something a little different. The kids opened probably every toy they got and had the living room covered with new fun. It was the year of dolls, dress-up and princesses for Elizabeth and the year of Legos and cars for Ben (for the most part anyway). Ben had assembled four new race cars by the time Grandma and Grandpa left and Elizabeth had on several pieces of dress-up clothing.
We enjoyed a couple days of downtime after Christmas to enjoy our new things, celebrate some time off, and just play. We got to see The Muppets which the kids loved, do a little shopping, but mostly just enjoyed lots of playing.
Later in the week we headed to Lawrence to see Grandma Elaine, Grandpa Larry and all of Dad's family. We enjoyed a belated Christmas morning with more gifts and a delicious Christmas dinner where we discovered that both kids love pork tenderloin. Thanks Uncle Dusty and Grandma Elaine! The kids really hadn't brought anything from home and it was good they didn't. There was plenty more to play with! They put together all sorts of toys and took over most of the downstairs. They played hard and soaked up all this time with our Kansas family.
We were also fortunate enough to be blessed with tickets to the basketball game while we were in town. We were able to take both Ben and Elizabeth and it turned out to be a really great decision. We had awesome seats from a family friend and the kids didn't take their eyes off of the court from the time we walked in.
This was the best picture we were able to get as they didn't want to miss a thing. The game hadn't even started at this point! They were awesome fans, and Ben didn't miss a beat cheering and following each move along the way. His favorite discovery were the antics that took place behind the baskets when the other team was shooting a free throw. Our fans only "tricked them" one time and made them miss, but Ben loved to watch the different things the students did. Elizabeth wanted to see the Jayhawk at all times. When he would walk around or go on break she would panic until she spotted him again. She wore her cheerleader outfit and probably cheered more for the actual Jayhawk than the players, but had a great time. Mom even tried to get the kids to check out the basketball museum when there wasn't much time left in the game and it was obvious KU was going to win. Ben looked confused and said, "but Mom, there is still time left." Mom responded that the game was pretty much over because of the score and he said, "no it isn't, Mom. There is still time left to watch." A true fan! We didn't peel them away until the stands were nearly empty and we were about to get asked to leave.
Our little cheerleader
Ben and Grandpa outside of Allen Field House
Ben and Grandpa outside of Allen Field House
We are really so blessed and thankful to have celebrated such a fun Christmas this year. The kids are really starting to understand that we do this for each other to remember and celebrate Jesus and his birthday as well as soaking up the magic of the season as well. Such fun!
What wonderful and joyful memories and traditions you are making for Ben and Elizabeth! It is amazing how they have grown in so very many ways.
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