{CHRISTMAS 2014}

{eve}

They both got to open jammies:

Mabel also got to open her present from Elliott,

Wishful's mama!!

(wishful is the little unicorn that she got as a gift

from our neighbor Nikki last year. it's the craziest looking

stuffed animal but she LOVES it.)

She gave Elliott a big squeeze!

How did he know she loved Wishful so much?

We also started a new tradition.

Each Christmas Eve in Portugal almost all families

eat the same thing for dinner: bacalhau com natas.

(Cod fish with cream)

We got salted cod from Market Street, let it

soak for 24hrs, and then Nate went to work!

His first try and it was delicious!

He must be part Portuguese. 

I like traditions that involve someone else 

cooking me dinner! 

After the kids were in bed we sat on the couch 

and talked. I love the glow of the tree, it's

soothing to me.

{day}

Before we open presents we always watch the Luke 2

video.  This year we watched another video as well, 

it's called The Nativity bible video. It was really good.

You can watch it HERE.

Nothing like a good cry to start Christmas morning!

You gotta love their Christmas morning face!

Even the furry kids got presents.

Even though they don't deserve them.

Baby's First Christmas!

We were so excited to wake up to a white (kinda) Christmas!

It was the first snow we have had that actually stuck.  Later

on it DUMPED snow and it was perfect for Christmas day.

Somebody likes their Ugly Doll!

Mabel got a sucker in her stocking...

...and she even shared a lick with Nana!

Uncle Jacob got Mabel some Frozen slippers...

the theme this year for Mabel was definitely Frozen!

Aunt Kelsey got her a Frozen robe...

...and a Frozen hopscotch rug!

Elliott would screech if you tried to take his wrapping

paper/box away:

Mabel and Elliott got new night lights

from their grandparents in Arizona:

Aunt Kelsey really spoiled this little

girl - she even got her a Frozen wand!

 Sister socks and gloves from my mom: 

Kelsey got us a massager that attaches

to our office chair. It is so nice!

It is massaging by back as I type this.

The aftermath.

 Christmas Morning Family Pic

(Below are our past Christmas morning

pictures....2013, 2012, 2011)

Later we stayed in our jammies and played with our toys,

skyped and called family, AND

made BACON BOWLS!

Bacon bowl with german pancakes...

bacon bowl with vanilla ice cream.

CHEERS to a wonderful Christmas!!