After all the preparations were made...a couple of months of preparations including decorating, on-line shopping, present hiding, gift wrapping, goodie baking, and the like...it came and went too fast.
Christmas morning was excitement and pure delight as Grace and Claira descended the staircase in a whirlwind of excitement. The gifts from Santa were beautifully wrapped in an array of pink & green Christmas paper. It matched our beautiful Christmas tree perfectly. How did Santa know??? Grace immediately went for her stocking, and Claira immediately tackled Grace. It was such a classic moment. Claira took a moment to warm up to her Cozy Coupe, but once she did, there was no stopping her as she picked it up and carried it much like a Flinstone's car. She was delighted that Santa answered her request for "Chocyate!" and continues to tell people "Santa come" and when asked what Santa brought she always says "Chocyate!"
They were too fast for me to get a good picture of Claira's Santa gifts.
One peak at the pink & green striped box, and Grace and mommy knew what was inside.
There's no mistaking a Madame Alexander box.
In addition to the chocolate and her Cozy Coupe, Santa delivered a darling cradle, a stroller, and Claira's first Madame Alexander baby doll. Santa also delivered a spiritual gift that included some church books and a couple of Living Scriptures DVDs. Mommy and Daddy did a good job with gift-giving as well. Claira loved her hoppy horse, Magna Doodle, and Sit 'n Spin toy, as well as a few other fun surprises.
Excuse the blurry photo, but I wasn't ready for Claira running to see what Grace got without giving her own stocking a second thought. I should have known she would be more interested in Grace's gifts than her own. She still wants Julie more than any other doll in our house.
Grace was thrilled with Santa's delivery of a bed, storage cases, and additional accessories for Julie (her American Girl doll). He also brought a sewing machine, some sewing projects, and a dress form (oh so fancy) for this little six-year old who wants to learn to sew (I guess mommy is going to have to pick up a new hobby as well). Grace also received some scripture books and some church DVDs--now we have something to watch on Sunday afternoons after 9 a.m. church. From mommy and daddy she unwrapped an old-fashioned jump rope and jump rope rhyme books, a Fancy Nancy Madame Alexander and some Fancy Nancy books, and who could forget the infamous PlasmaCar. She was very sweet and loved everything!!!
I happily unwrapped a Cricut cutting machine, and Matt was thrilled with the Wii Fit both surprise gifts from Santa. Our favorite gift was the darling book that Grace made for us--it was a story that she wrote and illustrated about our Summer trip to Sea World. It is one of those gifts that I will treasure forever.
Photo is from a few nights earlier when we went to look at the temple lights.
It was so much fun to have my mom and dad and brother-Steve, and Sister-Carrie at our home for Christmas. They added lots of extra excitement and joy to our Christmas festivities. We enjoyed good food, fun with family, and lots of great presents. We certainly had a very Merry Christmas and hope you all did as well. Is it really over until next year? Well, I guess there's still a visit from Mrs. Claus and Claira's birthday, so the preparations never end.
