Santa Has Come and Gone

I remember as a child being so disappointed when Christmas had come and gone. And it always felt like it took forever for it to come around again. Then as a teen, I thought it must be boring to be a parent at Christmas because there isn't any surprises to look forward to, instead you have to work hard to surprise your children. But now that I am a parent, I think Christmas is even MORE exciting than EVER!! Doug was laughing at me as I got all giddy the closer it got to "Santa" coming. Then I realized, it was because I was understanding Christmas in a whole new way: The Parent/God loving our/His children so much, making sacrifices to give the greatest gifts/Gift! I love the gift giving part of Christmas, always have enjoyed watching other people as they open the gift I put so much thought/effort into. But there was nothing like the excitement in Keely's eyes as she received her gifts.

But enoug babble, on with the pictures...

Here is Keely and Macey on our bed the morning Santa came. I told Keely we had to take a picture before she could go see what Santa brought. That smile is for the anticipation, not the picture. Macey is giving the "I have no idea what is going on" look.

Keely's coming to see what Santa brought her. We only gave them one present each to unwrap since they got the swingset. And they'd be getting a bunch more once we got to Columbia.

Here's Keely ripping open the presents! She had so much fun. (It wore off by her birthday on the 29th. She'd only opened presents almost everyday for 8 days.) I love this picture because you'll notice Macey's legs hanging out from under the paper. Keely thought it was funny to throw the paper on Macey. Macey thought it was fun to eat the paper.

Do you think she likes it? She couldn't even decide what to do she was so excited. She would swing one time, jump off slide, then go back to the swing. She couldn't believe there was a "park" in her yard! Here's a slide shot. As you can tell here, the cold doesn't stop her. Even the wet doesn't stop her. She's had me out there this week even in the freeszing weather. We have to wait until Macey is asleep, because I refuse to take Macey out in the cold. But she bundles up with her hat, and several layers of clothes and plays. I have to bribe her with snacks or a movie to go in when I get too numb to take it anymore.