12.25

Posted bywe4keenesPosted inUncategorized

Christmas morning, we woke up before the kids. As usual. Well, to be fair, I set an alarm so I could put the cinnamon rolls in the oven and start the Crock Pot mac & cheese for lunch. But Jim woke up all on his own and we opened our stockings and then waited until 8:30, when we heard Haley stir and thought we should get a move on already.

Stockings

We ate breakfast and read scripture and lit our last Advent candle before we opened presents. Because that’s the way I like it, and Jim humors me.

Happy Birthday Jesus crown

On to the excitement under the tree…

Amry Strong for Uncle Jeff

What in the world kind of face is that?

JT’s big gift from us: Imaginext airplane set

 Haley got the Pottery Barn Kids baby doll from us, and it was every bit perfect when she opened it. She couldn’t wait to get it out of the box.

Once out, she immediately snuggled it, began swaying from foot to foot, and patted its back. Oh. My. Then she put the doll in her new little crib (big thanks, Gracie). It was the sweetest thing ever.
My mom surprised Haley with her own little apron. It was perfect timing because she also got an oven and sink from Gracie’s too-old pile, and she is enjoying them already.

Jim got me the Kindle Fire and I love it. It does everything I expected it to do, and it does all of those things very well. I’ve watched movies, clicked around on the Internet, listened to music, played games, and read books, and I have no complaints. None.

Then Jim pulled a move from A Christmas Story. We were all done opening and he said, “What’s over there? Are those more presents?” And he helped JT find some more gifts that he had snuck downstairs without me knowing. He got JT a beebee rifle. JT knew right away it wasn’t a toy (we’ve been working on that) and was serious, excited, and anxious all at once.

If you looked at the picture first, you thought wrong. This isn’t for me, it’s for Haley. That’s right, her first diamonds. Jim said that he didn’t want “some dirty little boy” buying his daughter her first diamonds. It’s gorgeous.

Jim also got me a surprise gift: gift certificates for a year of date nights. There is one coupon per month, and each one includes the exact date and time, the event, and who is babysitting. It is all arranged. The events include things like dinner and a movie, sushi & shopping, a hockey game, theater, dinner at Crystal Mountain, boating on Puget Sound, dessert on Lake Sammamish, two overnight trips, a Harley date, and more. LOVE. THAT. MAN.

We got a chance to Skype with my family, who were all celebrating in North Carolina. JT had on his army shirt, his new Ms hat, and his rifle. Uncle Jeff decided to match him. So cute! I took a screenshot.

Then Jim’s parents came over because I went to work with Jim. I came home, got two hours of sleep, and got up and went shopping for seven hours with my generous mother-in-law, who bought me and the few kids some things, as if Christmas wasn’t enough. We got some great deals and had a wonderful time. Another great year on the books.

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