This year we celebrated Christmas Eve at los Tios instead of Aba's. It was different, but much more convenient to church and having all the things the kids needed. We let the kids open their cards from Grandpa Bill and Grandma Peggy and their presents to each other before we left. They got each other sleeping bags which they both really wanted and were perfect for that night at los Tios!
We headed over before nap time and all three of the big kids actually slept for at least a little while while we hung out. Once they got up it was craziness! Tia made a delicious dinner which we all enjoyed and the kids even ate at least some of.
 |
| Emmett pouting because he wanted to hold Elise |
 |
| He got his wish! |
After dinner we headed to the candlelight service at church with tired, extra wound up kids. They were pretty good, especially once they got candy canes during the children's message. It is my favorite church service of the year and the kids were pretty excited about the candles. They all held their own candle and Emmett was so mesmerized that he didn't even talk or move while it was lit. There were no burns, no wax spills, and no screaming so I'll call it a win!
After church we headed back to los Tios, took some pictures, put on pajamas, and let the kids open presents. They were so excited and helped pass the presents out and then tore in! Clara was very excited about everything, especially her bead kit from Aba and princess dresses from Tio Robert and Tia Erika. Bailey loved everything, and Emmett was especially excited about his Cinderella dress he had been requesting, his digger, and his headlamp! It was fun watching them open their presents and watching the joy on their faces!
We attempted to put the kids down (in the same room in their sleeping bags), had some dessert and drinks, only to have Bailey appear downstairs. None of them were asleep and Bailey and Emmett were crazy and talking nonstop. Clara was yelling at them to go to sleep or Santa wouldn't come and was genuinely upset. After threats of them sleeping in different rooms they finally settled down and fell asleep around 11. I checked on them and Emmett was on top of his sleeping bag turned sideways. Perhaps it wasn't the best idea to let him sleep in a sleeping bag on the floor when he had only slept out of a crib/pack n play twice...
We finally opened our presents (which were all fabulous), Dada got iced by Tia in the form of a present, we ate more dessert, the guys drank and played video games, Santa filled stockings, we got stuff ready for breakfast, stayed up way too late, and had a ton of fun!
 |
| Iced! |
The next morning, Bailey and Emmett woke up at 5:45 and started talking to each other. I ignored them and they were quiet for a little while. Tia Erika went up to see them at 6:30 and then the craziness began again! I realized that kids are supposed to be too excited to sleep and wake up early so I embraced it. Grandma Donna came over and we opened stockings. The best part was when Emmett found juice in his stocking and said, "Juice for Wehwah!" and gave it to her (he still hasn't realized he can have juice)! Another highlight included Tia getting iced in her stocking by Dada as payback for his icing the night before. Hers was luke warm but she drank it like a champ! We had a delicious breakfast followed by lots of playing and even more sadness when it was time to leave. It was a great time spent with family!
 |
| Payback! |
