Christmas is finally here!!! Well, a day early, but still!

I read about the birth of Jesus from the Bible while Nick played out the scene with our nativity set.

Havanna was pretty excited about her Minnie Mouse phone.

Berlyn got a battery operated bug catcher.  So perfect.

Talullah's new bath towel.  My Little Mermaid.

Havanna is cuddled up in her new Minnie bath towel.

Havanna would have stayed in the cold all night looking at lights with her Papa.

More egg nog, please!

Talullah loving time with her daddy.

What a doll face.

Nana found Talullah a ballerina music box.  She's so proud.

Havanna now has her own baby doll that really sucks on a binkie and bottle.  Kind of weird.

Merry Christmas!  Since Nick had to work Christmas morning, we decided to wake up Christmas Eve and just pretend.  We took our time getting ready and eating breakfast before the girls settled down so I could read them the story of Jesus' birth while Nick played out the parts using our nativity set.  THEN we opened presents!  A small Christmas blessing: the day before, we had gone to Eureka for some last minute shopping. I didn't go 'all out' on present this year (knowing full well that Nana would get the kids absolutely more than they needed already), so I had bought one good present for Talullah.  A bed tent.  I knew she'd love it.  But, I was thinking that it was a little unfair since all three girls share a bed and it would really be a gift for everyone.  The other girls each had one special toy that I knew they would specifically love.  While we were driving on a side road, I saw a pile of toys with a free sign.  I'm not one to stop, but I spotted this stuffed horse with a carrying case.  Talullah has been looking a toy similar to this every time we're near a toy section of a store.  Nick granted my request and turned the car around.  The little horse and carrier was in mint condition.  No spots, no smells.  It looks brand new.  I grabbed in and put it at my feet where Miss T couldn't see and saved it for the big day.  Free.  Picked up from the side of the road the day earlier.  It was her favorite present.  Doesn't that figure?!  When she opened it, she gasped.  "Mom!  This is like the dog ones I wanted, but EVEN BETTER!"  What parent doesn't love hearing that sort of appreciation?

We bought Berlyn a bug house and a batter operated bug catcher.  It's shaped like an ant eater, and the snout sucks bugs right up into a small container.  This couldn't be more perfect for daughter #2.  As soon as she opened the bug house she clutches her chest and says "My own box?!"  Easy to please.  Then, when she learned how to use the bug catcher, she crawled around my living room using it to vacuum the rug.  Here's a happy momma!

Havanna was a pro when it came to unwrapping gifts.  She methodically tore through tape, wrappers, and ribbon to find her surprise inside.  She loved her Minnie Mouse phone and her Winnie the Pooh ride on toy.  She was also pretty darn pleased to just sit and play with the wrappings and ribbons thrown to the floor, but hey.  She's not even two.

Nick liked his Padres sweatshirt I got him, as well as the Padres tickets I bought for a game in San Francisco in June.  I absolutely love my new pajamas and my Victoria's Secret smelly stuffs.  I know it's not all about what presents you receive, but it's so nice when all the gifts we give and get are so perfectly pleasing. There's not a single material item that this family needs, which is proof of how abundantly blessed we have been.