As has been tradition, we woke up on Christmas Eve morning to open presents with my family. But this year, as opposed to past years, Santa didn't come to my parents house but said he'd stop by my in-laws instead. So the kids woke up and waited to open gifts until Matt and I and my parents got up (which was by 7am--we didn't make them wait too long)!
The kids started by opening their gifts that they got for one another with their own money (we did help Blake out a bit). Blake got Wyatt a North Stars tshirt.
And Sadie got Blake this little guy called "Magin Jinn" that asks 'yes' and 'no' questions to determine which animal you're thinking of. We had been in Target one day when there was a guy doing a demonstration on how Magic Jinn works and the kids were astonished at how in the world this little plastic thing could 'read their minds'! Needless to say, Blake loved it!
Sadie also made these a paper box for Blake and put sticks of gum inside (Blake loves gum!)
Wyatt had Sadie's name and bought her a pair of hockey skates and pink laces and new guards. He was so proud he used his own money and picked it all out at Play-it-Again Sports. (Sadie didn't get to skate on the rink prior to Christmas because her old skates were too small.)
Excitement watching Daddy open his gift
And helping Nani hand out presents (while eating goldfish crackers that Sadie had gotten for him)
Nani and Pops got Wyatt the complete set of planes from the Disney movie PLANES
And naturally, the first thing you'd want to do with them is line them up!
Nani and Pops got Sadie a gift certificate to get McKenna, her American Girl Doll's, ears pierced at the American Girl Store. Sadie has been asking to get this done for quite awhile (or course my Dad told my mom he could just take the doll in the garage and drill a small hole in her ears, but of course that would seem so cruel:)
Pops and Wyatt playing with the PLANES
Sadie got Molly's tap dance outfit for her doll (Sadie and I have been reading the old American Girl books that my mom kept from when my sisters were younger and read them)
Matt's heater shirt for skiing this summer
Nani finally got the earrings she had been asking for
More decor for Pop's basement--Wisconsin Badger/Packer sports theme
And my parents got Sadie her own felt board for teaching in her classroom--both Blake and Sadie have volunteered in the sunday school that my mom teaches at church and they love playing with all the teaching materials. So this was perfect for Sadie!! (Who knew they still made these?!)
We all participated in class....
Another outfit for McKenna from Nani and Pops
Blake's pose cracks me up here
We opened some gifts and then waited for Matt and Mary Jo to wake up and come over to finish the rest. It was perfect timing because after a few rounds of gifts, everyone was starting to hungry and the blood sugar was definitely quite low! And MJ, being the sweetie that she is (and Starbucks addict), brought fresh coffees for everyone!
I had to include this picture---I have no idea what Matt was saying here, but check out everyone's faces (including Sadie!!)
Mom showing off her new bracelets and scarf
Finally got his own cheesehead!!!!!
For quite awhile, Blake didn't have any gifts to open and he sat very patiently waiting and enjoying watching everyone else open theirs. When there were only a few left, we had him sit on the couch while Matt went to get his last gift....
A wakeboard!!! I don't think he cared about anything else after this one......
(that's some serious air for just jumping off the ground--that board is really heavy!!)
He was happy to let everyone try it out and helped strap it on
A common sight at Nani and Pops' house--Sadie with Cali
And this went on for days--and every time we go up to Stormy, it's the first thing he gets out and plays with. Of everyone in our family, he's actually the most excited about summer!
Sadie modelling her new gymnastics leotard
And the best pictures of the day......
Every year we all get excited to see what my Dad got for my Mom. Every year they agree on a budget and every year my mom sticks to it and my Dad doesn't. But he always gets something that blows my mom away and we all anxiously anticipate what it will be--prior years it's been a cruise (that was when I was like 10 yrs old and I still remember), diamond earrings, new ring, etc. But this year took the car---my Dad bought my Mom a brand new car!
The tears were flowing quite freely! A brand new Subaru Outback (my mom's favorite car) to be delivered a few days later!
And then my Mom surprised my Dad with a new table saw (I guess he's been wanting this for years as well). It's so fun to see the two of them still surprise each other and put so much time and effort into their gifts. And it's definitely a highlight every year!
Matt took this picture to text to all our friends in MN--the poor Vikings have never won a Super Bowl or Championship, making it pretty easy to be Packer fans and rub it in!
Each year it seems our schedule changes a bit depending on the ages of our kids and the need for naps....we have now entered the stage of life where our schedule is no longer dictated by naps and feedings! Blake takes a rest in his room everyday but probably only takes a nap a few days a week--however, as I said in the post from his birthday, he can keep up with everyone as long as there is action on going on, but as soon as things slow down, he's out. And he is the first to grab a blanket and lay down anywhere and take a nap--he is a very hard sleeper and can fall asleep with all kinds of chaos and commotion going on! So after lunch, the kids wanted to watch one of the new movies they had gotten, so we popped it in and everyone took some time to chill....
...and Blake took a nap (we were all amazed at how long he could sleep with all the noise going on right next to him)
We all got ready and headed to church for Christmas Eve Service--my favorite of the year!
And Sadie wanted to make sure I got a picture of her all dressed up with McKenna in her new outfit!
Christmas in Madison is something my kids (and Matt and I) look forward to every year and this year did not disappoint--great weather for playing in the snow, great time spent with my parents and Mary Jo and Matt and lots of relaxing!
