Christmas Morning

The night before Christmas...
stuffing stockings...

and putting stickers on toy trains:

Christmas morning while the children were still nestled all snug in their bed:

Jason and I bought a thick piece of wood at Lowe's to create a tabletop for Jackson's automatic train set that we bought him for his birthday. Grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins added to it on his birthday and this year at Christmas. We bought him one extra set this Christmas and then took everything he had and set it up on the new tabletop. It took us a long time on Christmas Eve night to figure out how to get all of it on there. We succeeded in fitting everything but a small bridge, which we decided to save for another day and reward ourselves with a little sleep instead.

Jackson woke before Allison on Christmas morning. Despite his excitement over presents, he was very considerate of her and respectful of us to let her sleep a little longer while the three of us read the Christmas story.

Coming down the stairs and ready to open presents {and Mommy still trying to figure out how to take photos in dark places without a flash}:

Here's Jackson checking out our track-laying skills:

It was only a matter of seconds until Alli tried to steal trains off the track:

When we made her stop, she ran over to this picture frame of the Exums and Mettings, pointed to me, and said, "Momma. Momma. Momma." It was her way of avoiding any consequence that she thought might be coming her way. It was hilarious!

Allison LOVES chairs, especially ones that are her size. This rocker is a little big still, but we know she'll have it for a long time. She LOVED it!

This is the first present we opened. In our family, we open presents one at a time and whenever one person is opening, we all watch and join in that person's excitement. We want our children to celebrate with each other in the gifts they've each been blessed with. Plus, it makes the morning last so much longer, which we LOVE!

This gift was for both of them. They did a great job of opening together.

Puzzles! We all love puzzles!

I love this picture! They're both checking out the new skateboard.

Jackson has been asking for a skateboard for a long time. This was the third skateboard we bought because the first two we ordered online and couldn't see some of the bad stuff that was on the bottom of them until we got them in the mail. One had a devil on the bottom and the other said, "Devil's Man." Those aren't things I care to have on my son's skateboard.

Allison did a great job opening her presents.

Count and scan shopper!

Big brothers have the best toys!

Jackson loved Alli's chair too!

Protection for Jackson - knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards!

A little Christmas morning drama:

A gift handmade for Allison by my mom...

a jewelry box with necklaces and bracelets! My mom painted it and put all of the stones on it. The lid has a wooden star with "Princess" scripted on it. It's so precious!

Daddy helped her accessorize:

She loves her new jewels!

Momma's turn came! Jackson got me earrings, a very glitzy headband, and a kitty cat from Build-A-Bear!

Helping Daddy unwrap his present:

Headphones for running!

We got Jason a Kindle with a lighted cover. Jackson was so excited to show Jason how the light worked:

"Ta-da!"

Jason completely surprised me with an iPhone. I didn't ask for anything and I was completely shocked. I do love it! It's made life easier already.

Jackson knew what Jason got me and what I got for Jason. He kept it secret for weeks. I am so proud of him!

They never noticed their stockings. We had to give them clues to look up at the fireplace.

I'd be willing to bet that this is their {Jason and Jackson} favorite part of Christmas morning...a stocking full of candy!

It's going to take until Valentine's to get off of this sugar addiction...just in time for another one!

Thank you for keeping it all picked up!

Boxes make great beds:

and skateboards make great stools:

We had a wonderful Christmas morning. From the time our children came down the stairs until the stockings were taken off the mantle, almost three hours had passed. It was such a blessing to take our time, not be rushed, and enjoy every moment of Christmas morning with these two precious children!

Jesus, thank You for being the greatest gift of all!