Christmas 2011

Our Christmas turned into one of the longest holidays ever! It lasted a week with not one but two visits from Santa! Such spoiled children. 

Our first Christmas happened at Grandmere's house on the 21st, where Santa made an early visit.

Sterling had a blast banging on the drums when we went to Mississippi in November, so Santa decided he needed his own drum set. This also meant that Santa's little elf (clearing throat), was up until 4-stinking-A-M putting this drum kit together. 

The kids have spent the past month asking for every toy they see in every store. I kept saying "make sure you tell Santa that's what you want for Christmas." After a while Ella moved on to asking for things for her birthday (in March). On of the things Ella had wanted "for her birthday" was Light Sprites. When she opened to box she said, "I wanted these for my birthday, but Santa brought them for me instead!" She was thrilled!

Uncle Billy helping Sterling to unwrap a gift. 

I love his sweet little feet poking out from under his new toy. 

The tree, *almost* cleared of it's gifts. 

Working together to get the job done...also known as Ella had torn through all of her packages and had moved onto "assisting" Sterling in opening his. 

Surprise!

We spent Christmas at home this year for the first time since we bought this house a couple years ago. 

Santa had come and gone, and the house sat silently waiting for our two sleepy heads to finally wake up. 

The stockings which were hung by the chimney with care, were overflowing and could no longer hang they were so heavy! It goes without saying that Santa overbought for the stockings this year.

Santa left a variety of wrapped and unwrapped gifts. Michael grew up in a house where Santa left gifts opened under the tree, versus I grew up in a household where the only gifts left unwrapped were the oversized gifts. So, this is our compromise. Some things are wrapped, some things are unwrapped with batteries in place and ready to play. 

Our greatest Christmas surprise of all this year was Michael joining us. He flew in from Texas where he has been working on the 23rd. He had to fly back out on the 26th, but we were all so grateful to have him home for the holidays. 

Ella examining her loot. 

Sterling was thrilled with every. single. item he pulled out of his stocking. Each new thing was met with plenty of "oh wow", "cool", "oh my gosh"!

He's been wanting a trailer for his tractor...just like Granddaddy! 

This Crayon Maker has turned out to be a really cool gift!

The gifts from Santa were plentiful at our house too. I'm telling you, these two were s-p-o-i-l-e-d this year! 

                                                   

Showing mommy a new Cars book.

So happy to have daddy home for Christmas! A Merry Christmas indeed.

Seriously? It looked like a war zone here with the wrapping paper strewn everywhere! 

The most surprising gift Santa brought this year was a pair of parakeets. The kids love them and immediately named them "Ella & Sterling". Shocking, I know. 

Getting ready to head to the church for service on Christmas morning after all the presents were opened.

When we got home from church, Grandmother and Granddaddy arrived for a Christmas visit, bringing you guessed it, more gifts! We had a lovely lunch with them and enjoyed seeing them. 

Christmas evening we headed to Grammy's house for Christmas with Maddox and Lucy. 

Amy had all the children singing a round of "Jingle Bells" and "Away in a Manger". They loved it!

Of course, there was an abundance of gifts awaiting us at Grammy's house too. Truly, next year we may have to trim down the number of gifts they receive, or we're going to have to expand the playroom! 

We truly had a fantastic and blessed Christmas this year, and hope that everyone else had just as nice of a holiday!