Christmas top 10

I have been putting off my Christmas post for a while now. I keep meaning to do it, but that task just keeps slipping futher and further down on the to-do list. So I finally decided I better get it done, and I thought that I would sort through all the pictures and pick out 10 of my favorites to tell a little bit about our Christmas story.
We had a wonderful Christmas, as we always do. Brad is fortunate to be able to take the week of Christmas off each year, and we LOVE getting spoiled by spending all of that time with him. We received way too much this year (as we always do) and were reminded of how richly blessed and undeserving we are. So here are the top 10 picture memories...in chronological order, not in order of favorites

#1 I love decorating our house for Christmas, and especially love trees. I decorate 5 throughout the house each year, and already have plans for #6 for next year. This year I went a different direction with our main tree, and was so pleased with how it turned out.

#2
The annual "in front of the Christmas tree" picture. I can't wait to see the progression of these over the years
#3

We have started a tradition with Brad's family on Christmas Eve. His mom, dad, and brother come to our house for Christmas Eve dinner. We let the kids open all of their wrapped presents under the tree (a tradition from Brad's childhood) and we open the TON of presents that his parents bring. I am always amazed at how many trips they make from the car to the house with armloads of gifts. Here are the boys surveying their loot.

#4

Luke loves big trucks ("biiiig kuk!"). This was one of his favorite gifts that he toted around all night. And, apparently, it drives the best in the kitchen wherever Mommy happens to be walking :)

And look how big my baby looks holding his biiiig kuk!

#5

One of my favorite gifts Luke received. He was made for hats :)

#6
Jackson is really into the idea of Santa Claus. We made special cookies, and Jackson picked out just the right carrots at the store for his reindeer (which I later chewed up and spit out all over the driveway as reindeer evidence). I love this picture of him inspecting the goodies to make sure everything is just right before the big guy comes.

#7
The spread on Christmas morning. And I realized 2 weeks later that we completely forgot to put out Luke's big item from Santa. I kept standing there Christmas Eve saying to Brad "Are you sure this looks even? I feel like Jackson has more." To which Brad replied "Luke is 1. He won't notice. Can we go to bed now?" And Luke's present is still in the attic.

#8 Waiting at the top of the stairs on Christmas morning awaiting the o.k. from Mommy and Daddy to come down...a Morgan family tradition that is happily carried out in the Dennis house. I also can't wait to see the progression of these pictures over the years.

*Oh, and another favorite is the matching Christmas pjs

#9
I love, love, love Christmas morning. It is such a special time for our family. I love to see the excitement on their faces as they discover each new toy. I love to sit back on the couch with Brad, drinking a hot cup of coffee, Christmas music playing in the background, and just look at each other and smile, knowing how blessed we are, and giving thanks for the true meaning of this special day. I also love what this picture captures so perfectly. They both have mouths full of candy canes, and are playing with the two new "Trev the Trains". For that entire morning, even with all those new toys, my 2 little boys are so sweet to one another. Such sweet words are spoken, such kind sharing takes place, and it just warms my heart :)

#10

This is Jackson opening presents at my parents house. There are 2 reasons why I love this picture.

1- Each of the grandkids gets to take their turn opening their presents. It is such a great way to make each one of them feel special as they sit in the special chair while everyone watches them open their gifts.

2- This is Jackson opening what might be his favorite gift he received this Christmas...The Touch 'n Brush. Yes, he saw the infomercial on tv one day and said he had to have that. So, of course, his Uncle Kenny was the one to get it for him.

And let me just state for the record, that if I had a picture of my dad coming out in the coconut bra and grass skirt to make his announcement at Christmas brunch, that TOTALLY would have made the countdown.

I hope everyone had as great a Christmas as we did and did not miss out on the greatest and most undeserving gift of all...the birth of our Savior.