Christmas Day 2009

Christmas morning started at 7am when the boys woke up. It's always so fun to watch them look to see if Santa came (we don't put any presents under our tree until Christmas Eve night) and the look of surprise they always have! Since we had to wait for Natalie to wake up, the boys got to play with the toys that weren't wrapped - they each had one by their stockings.
Mommy even got a present from Santa this year!

Tyler was so scared of the Raggedy Ann doll that Dan was holding - just look at his face, priceless!

We finally told Nathan to go wake up Natalie so we could get started...
Stocking time! (yes, we all got new bath poofs)
I love how each of the kids has such a different look opening their stockings


Nathan was so excited to open his gifts this year
That's the look of pure joy on his face!

Natalie also loved everything she got

The Grandparents did AWESOME this year!!! (and thanks to them we didn't have to do too much!)


Tyler is our most focused child - he gets it from his daddy!

Tyler was so intent on playing with his new toys he would NOT look at the camera!! That's when you know he is truly happy :)

I suppose I should include some pics of me...

Sorry Babe, didn't take many pics of you but you did awesome this year! I will make you waffles anytime you want! ;)

I want to thank everyone for the kindness and love we felt through your gifts, cards, phone calls, treats (wow did we ever get the treats!!), and thoughtfulness. With this being our first Christmas away from our families in Texas I thought it would be really difficult, but the Spirit of the Season was still with us and we felt our families love across the distance. It was a very special Christmas for us, one in which we truly enjoyed our little family and got to spend special moments together. We want our families to know how much we love them and appreciate all that they still do for us even though we're far apart now. We hope you all had a beautiful and special Christmas!

Here is one last pic of Natalie and her new doll "Gracie" wearing matching outfits...

Thank you Grandma Karen for the cute gift!

Well, this is the end of our Christmas pictures. Shortly after opening gifts our kids started getting sick one-by-one. We had a stomach bug fly through our house that day, night, and the next day. I was fortunate enough to not get it very bad, and was therefore also fortunate enough to feel well enough to clean up after everyone! I won't divulge any details, but let's just say not a room in our house went unscathed by the nasty bug!! Did it ruin our Christmas? Not at all! We did everything we had planned to do - play games, watch movies, eat finger foods, and have fun at home together as a family. It was a Christmas we will always remember!!!