Christmas 2010

I was waiting to post our Christmas pictures until after this past weekend. We were supposed to be going to Kingston, TN to celebrate Christmas with my grandparent's and my dad's side of the family. Unfortunately the weather got bad and we had to change our plans at the last minute. The roads were just too icy for us to take the chance on. We really missed seeing all of my family and spending some time with them! So, that's the reason why I haven't posted these pictures until now!

Our December was very busy, but very fun. Our Christmas holidays started the weekend before Christmas when we headed to Kingston, TN (what was supposed to be for the first time) to celebrate with Russ' dad's family and his mom's family. The kids were absolutely spoiled with presents, we enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by Russ' grandmother and we had fun just getting to see everyone.

Here is Caleb playing his new keyboard he got from Aunt Sally:

Kathryn got a new pink scooter as well as a princess helmet. She loved it!

After we came back from Tennessee, the kids and I planned a trip to Charlotte to see Nana and Papa for a little while. Caleb hadn't been back to Charlotte since we moved, so I knew he would enjoy having some Nana and Papa time before Christmas.

The kids LOVE the train that Nana and Papa have around their tree. They put on their conductor hats and have so much fun controlling the train with the remote.

Nana and Papa took us on the light rail train to downtown Charlotte to see some Christmas things. The train ride was a lot of fun and of course Caleb and Kathryn get a kick out of it. Here the kids are in front of a huge gingerbread house at the Ritz. It was all entirely edible!

After the Ritz we went to see the singing bear orchestra in the Bank of America building. It is a really fun show made up of mechanical bears that play music. The kids love it!

Here are all 3 of them enjoying the show :)

Christmas Eve came way to quickly, despite Kathryn asking everyday when it was going to be here! It was fun seeing Kathryn so excited this year and really into everything. Of course, Caleb was too! We enjoyed the Christmas Eve service at Horizon. It is always good to reflect on the birth of our Saviour and the real meaning of Christmas. We also loved hearing my parent's sing "O Holy Night" together in the service. It has become a tradition at Horizon and after they sing there is hardly a dry eye in the room! My parent's came over after the service to eat soup and spend time with us. Even my Pop came over to celebrate. The kids opened their presents from Mimi and Grampy and got some really great things. Among all the presents, Caleb's favorite was a set of real golf clubs that Grampy picked out, Kathryn's was a new crib for her baby dolls and Clayton's was a little people airport set.

Kathryn got a matching pajama set for her and her Bitty Baby. She loved matching her baby :)

Both Caleb and Kathryn got monogramed robes from Mimi. They love to wear them!

Here they are opening their presents from each other:

After going to bed really late on Christmas Eve, the kids were up bright and early Christmas morning. And I mean bright and early - before 6! They were so excited and couldn't wait any longer! We woke Clayton up and headed downstairs to see what Santa had brought.

Waiting to go downstairs:

Kathryn checking out her pile which includes Princess bike, a Cinderella baby doll and stroller, a princess build a bear set, some new books, a pink bear with a ribbon around it's neck (per her request) and a mini van for her dollhouse...

Caleb checking out his pile which includes a Carolina Panthers helmet and jersey, a spy kit, some dinosaurs, some books, some lego's a crayola art set and a razor scooter...
and Clayton checking out his little pile which is a fun activity center/ walker.

Kathryn loved her new princess bike:

and Caleb loved his new razor scooter

He also loved his football helmet!
We enjoyed a quiet, lazy morning spending time together, opening presents and playing with them. The kids were excited that Santa brought them everything that they asked for :)


Later that afternoon we headed over to my parent's house to celebrate Christmas with my mom's side of the family. My mom cooked her traditional delicious meal that everyone loves. After dinner it is time for presents. We all get each other $5 presents, so it is so much fun seeing what we all get. Everybody gets at least 6 presents and we all go around the room and open them one by one. I must admit, it is hard finding $5 presents for everyone, but it is SO worth it when we all go around and open. It has become a fun family tradition :)

It started to snow that afternoon and Caleb and Kathryn were so excited. Here they are watching the snow out the window:

Cousin Adam playing with Clayton:

Cousin Caroline cuddling with Kathryn

Our family picture, minus Jay and Stephanie and baby on the way. We sure missed them :(

The day after Christmas we woke up early and headed to Charlotte to spend the day and night celebrating with Russ' family.

We had our first snow in our new house that morning and here is what it looked like as we drove away:

We got to Charlotte around 10 and ate a delicious breakfast. The kids were once again very spoiled by Nana and Papa and they loved their new toys. They couldn't wait to open them up and play! Among them all, Caleb's favorite was a matchbox car race track and a basketball hoop for the back of the door; Kathryn's favorite was a ladybug pillowpet and a baby doll you can feed bananas with a spoon; Clayton's favorite was a Baby Einstein set of new toys. We enjoyed spending the day with the family, watching the kids play and the traditional beef tenderloin meal, which of course was delicious!

The grandkids ready to open their presents!

Time for presents:

Kathryn got her much wanted ladybug pillow pet and she was thrilled!

Caleb loved his frog pillow pet

Clayton got some fun new baby toys:

Our traditional family picture:

Overall, we had a wonderful Christmas. We loved getting to celebrate with each of our families and once again we realize how incredibly blessed we are. God is so good to us and we are so thankful!