Christmas Day!

Christmas morning was so fun this year! It's always been fun, but Liam really got it this year and loved seeing what Santa brought! I set my alarm for 6:30 thinking that would be before Liam woke up and I could get the living room set up. Nope! Liam woke up at 5:30! He woke up crying that he was hungry and thirsty which makes sense because he really didn't eat dinner the night before and we tried to get him to eat when we got home from my parents, but he was too tired. So Will went and got him and walked him straight through the pitch black living room to our room to have a snack and watch some early morning cartoons. I slipped out and got everything ready and then we headed out! Liesl slept through all of this and through the first half of present opening which was actually kind of nice so we could focus on Liam. 

He went straight for his Mater truck! He made a list of multiple items he wanted, but a "brown truck" was what he kept telling every Santa he saw and anyone who asked. He also asked for a big car, a vacuum, and hot wheels :)

Liam is really into pretend play and he love, love, loves this sword and shield set from Land of Nod! 

Pausing for a "cheese" picture! 

His big car! 

We told Liam to drive his car down the entryway and there was a strand of ribbon tied to the garage door. When he opened it he saw his trampoline! He was excited, but it was dark and freeeeeezing in there so he only jumped for a minute. We went back out later and he jumped forever. It's so much fun, we've all been in it! 

Just as he was finishing his Santa gifts Liesl woke up. I fed her while Liam opened up her gifts for her. Her "Liesl" blanket (and leggings, no pictured)  was my favorite gift for her and are from HERE.

My two sweet reindeer!

I think he had a fun morning! 

Our annual family pic in front of the tree! 

Once the sun came up and it got a smidge warmer out, Liam jumped and jumped on his trampoline! 

Later on in the morning we headed to Will's parents house for more presents and lunch. 

He has learned that taking each item out of his stocking one by one takes far too much time. The flip and dump method works much better! 

Liesl with her reused stocking. Sherrie is hilarious about her stockings - she wants to hand make them, but doesn't have a lot of free time so they end up taking forever. This year was the first year Liam's was complete and Liesl's this year is the same one from Griffin Christmas. The kids don't seem to mind though as long as they're filled, ha! 

Liam's big gift from his Mom-Mom and Dabu was a workbench table! It's really neat because the tools make real sounds and twist and stuff. 

Little miss attacking her new Taggie blanket! 

Liam got a bunch of other toys he loved like a big green truck with a boat and animals, and a Leap Pad which he calls his iPad :) Liesl got books and clothes and lots of pink girly toys! 

After lunch and some more playing we headed home because Liam had reached his limit and needed a nap. My parents, brother, and grandmother came over to our house in the evening to see what Santa brought and have dinner. Liam woke up in a super cranky mood and was a pill for about an hour. My dad and brother set up his easel and Will made homemade fettucini noodles while the ladies all just hung out. They left after dinner and we called it a night! It was relaxing and busy all at the same time if that makes sense, but I really feel like we soaked it all in and I'm not all sad and depressed that it's over like I usually am. December was a a really fun month, and I think Liesl had a lovely first Christmas! 

Christmas Eve!

Christmas Eve we always spend with my family. Usually my mom hosts and she has the house all decked out and everyone comes to eat lunch and open presents. Well this year was a little different because my parents are in the middle of a major remodel of their kitchen, dining room, laundry room, and all the bathrooms! They thought it was planned out enough to be finished just before Christmas, but as all reno's go, things didn't pan out as perfectly as they'd hoped and the house wasn't ready. My mom was super disappointed, but it's okay because now she'll have an excuse to go even more all out next year! 

She couldn't even put up a Christmas tree because just the day before their entire living room was covered in dust from having the ceilings redone! Liam didn't seem too torn up about it though. He was more concerned with counting his presents :)

We had brunch in the living room, and it was delicious! My brother made quiche and Will made PW's cinnamon rolls - yum! And I threw in a little kitchen sneak peak; I can't wait to see the finished product! 

Yaya and Pappou with their grand-babies (who aren't spoiled one bit I tell you!) 

My dad used to get me Holiday Barbie every year for Christmas and has now passed the tradition on to Liesl! 

I swear, this kid and his cheese face are too much. It's equally annoying and adorable, you know what I mean??

My dad giving Liesl some loving

Liam loved playing Santa and passing out everyone's presents! 

And he was a big help opening all of Liesl's presents as well. 

Literally jumping up and down for his big present! He couldn't believe that one was for him! 

Miss Liesl soaking it all in from Daddy's lap :)

Later in the afternoon we went to my Aunt's house for lunch and gifts with the family. The adults do a secret santa gift exchange, and the kids get presents from everyone. They were very patient and waited appriximately 2 seconds after we finished eating to ask if it was present time!

Miller family pic! We sure missed Papaw this year. 

My little family!

Afterwards, we headed back to my parent's to get changed and go to church. I love Christmas Eve service, but it was definitely different this year with two kiddos. Liesl was awake and fussy during the beginning and end of the service so Will and I took turns in the cry room with her. Liam actually did great as long as he was being fed. He did hang out in the aisle some, but I had a sleeping infant in my arms at the time and wasn't about to fight with him to sit down. Ah well, it was still beautiful! 

All dressed up! 

Always my favorite part 

We got home super late and Liam went straight to sleep. I was a little bummed he was so worn out because we didn't even get to set out cookies for Santa or read the Christmas story or anything. Next year we will try to move things up a few hours to get home at a more decent hour. After he was down, Santa set up all the goodies.

Santa may have set the cookies and milk out himself because he was feeling snacky :) 

And of course Santa had to watch A Christmas Story while he worked! 

Liam's big gift was hidden in the garage! 

The next morning was SO fun! 

More Pre-Christmas Fun!

The week before Christmas we were busy squeezing in all kinds of Christmas cheer!

I don't have any pictures, but Will and I went to our rescheduled Nutcracker ballet. Even though it was a LONG night since the Nutcracker had moved to it's second location and was twice as far away, it was worth it! I love going and can't wait to take the littles someday! 

One of my best friends Nat came over one evening for dinner. She brought the kids WAY too many presents as usual, and Liam took no time opening all of them. He loved his toys and she got both kids some really cute clothes! 

My parents took Liam for a ride on the Polar Express! The pictures and videos they sent looked like he had a blast although they said the actual train ride almost put him to sleep because of the motion, haha. He also wouldn't drink the chocolate snow milk (I could have called that one), but he loved his bell and the "real" snow they had at the North Pole! 

Back in November I had a Christmas plate made at a pottery place, and I love how it turned out! 

The weekend before Christmas we had Christmas with Will's extended family! 


Grandmother hand makes everyone's stockings - I love Liesl's new one! Liam was too busy already digging through his to be bothered with a picture :) 

Liam was very serious about present opening and loved all his gifts! We immediately had to set up his new Thomas train track, and he and his cousin Ali got busy playing. Liesl pretty much snoozed through presents, but she got some really cute toys and clothes too! 

Griffin family Christmas!

Liam also helped decorate cookies for Santa. I made a huge batch of sugar cookies and let him go to town with the frosting and sprinkles. And of course he had to wear the cute elf apron Burrito brought him! 

Santa sure loved them! :)

Our Christmas Card 2013

This is the first year ever that I've run out of Christmas cards. I feel terrible because I thought I over-ordered. So here's a virtual version of our Christmas card for EVERYONE! 

Merry (almost) Christmas everyone!