We had a lovely Christmas morning together, sharing presents, singing carols, reading scripture and have cake for breakfast (Jesus’ birthday cake of course).

And, you know our kids always are this loving and cozy together (alright, really they aren’t but I love this picture catching a “moment” of sweetness)

 

Singing carols, Tobin was excited because he can really play his bongo box thing keeping the beat now

Ezra’s most prized gift-a little throw blanket

The boys got shoes, Marian got boots for their “need”

Marian’s new doll

We made gift certificates this year and gave them to each other, we had fun with it

Maybe the best part of the day was sharing our “secret santa” gifts with each other.  Marian made Ezra a stuffed animal, Kelly made Tobin chocolate drizzled treats, I gave Marian some scrapbooking supplies (from my stash-remember it had to be something we had or something we made), Ezra made Kelly a potholder, and Tobin had me.  I was secretly glad because as soon as he drew the name he had a gift wrapped and under the tree-not taking much time we thought so I was glad it was me and not one of the kids to be dissappointed with his lack of effort.  I opened my gift and it was his “camp” sunglasses that he really likes.  I said “Oh, Tobin, do you really want to give these away”.  His reply “Mom, Christmas is about giving gifts not getting them.”  It was just what this mama needed to hear, maybe we’re doing some things right:)

Oh, and I have no pictures of any of those gifts-more on that detail later on.

Jesus’ birthday cake for breakfast

Kelly & the kids shoveling the drive-so excited for snow on Christmas

We got the kids a camera from 6 little feet, llc (our photography biz).  Marian says “Don’t you think it’s a little funny that you are a photographer and we don’t have a camera?”.  Truth is, I’ve become such a snob that I hate bad pictures, out of focus, over-exposed, white-balance wrong that I just couldn’t buy them a cheap camera, and an expensive one was out of the question at their age.  We found a compromise-an underwater, adventure camera-can be dropped from 10 feet.  Takes pretty decent pictures and it has usefulness in our pool and traveling in situations where I don’t want to haul the heavy one.

Some pictures they took

Marian with her new art set

This would be Tobin waiting ever so patiently for his turn from Ezra-cracks me up!