I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

We enjoyed a beautiful Christmas morning together.  I love seeing the kids come out together when they hear the Christmas music.  This might be the last year we get them both in footie pajamas. :)

 The first thing Katie saw was this sucker from Grandma and Grandpa.  The presents could have stopped right there for her and she would have been fine.  That girl is a sucker for suckers, yes, I couldn't help it.

 I love how sweet these two are about giving gifts to each other.  Katie knew exactly what she wanted to get for Eleanor and after we were lucky to find it - she promptly told Eleanor precisely what it was.  She still couldn't wait to "surprise" her with her gift.  Eleanor made Katie a little paintbrush holder for her watercolor brushes and got her new paints.  That is Katie's super favorite past time.  Seeing how much they love each other just melts my heart!

 Katie did a little better keeping her gift to Dad a surprise.  She held it in ... right up until this moment when she hands him his gift and says, "You can open your surprise - it's a Dr. Seuss shirt." Hilarious!

 Eleanor didn't ask Santa for anything.  She doesn't really play with toys that often, so figuring out the perfect gift for her was hard.  We decided on her own set of scriptures with her name on them.  I wasn't sure what her reaction would be, but this look was genuine.  It really was her favorite gift.  I'm so glad.  Especially when she told me that was what she was secretly hoping for.  Whew! 

We enjoyed having a leisurely Christmas morning followed by a great church service.  And Christmas dinner was so fantastic, I'm still thinking about it.  The kids felt incredibly spoiled by everyone's generosity.  There was lots of love for all our family, friends, and most of all our Savior whose birth we celebrated!