Christmas at Home

This was the first time in a few years that we have spent Christmas day at home.  Last year was an incredibly special Christmas with our brand new family of four, and this year was also very exciting since Cora really got into the Santa Claus magic.  We set out cookies on Christmas Eve, and wouldn't you  know it, Santa came to our house shortly after the girls went to bed!

It's a good thing Santa had those cookies to fuel him because putting together the wagon turned out to be a bit of a chore.  Thankfully, Santa and his helper persevered, and this was what waited for a couple of little girls come Christmas morning.

 Our little scientist had been pretending to use 'maculars' (binoculars) for almost a year now.  We thought it was a good time to get her some of her very own.  These are especially handy for spying birds on the bird feeder that Dado made for the girls.

Carys' favorite past-time (other than banging objects on tables, chairs, the floor, etc.) is putting things in and taking things out of bags.  So, I Santa found this cute shopping bag with plush groceries for Carys to put in and out to her heart's content.

After opening gifts, John made his super special cinnamon toast for breakfast, and we all got ready to go to church.  I was a little apprehensive about the service because there was no childcare for the girls.  But, to my surprise, both girls did pretty well.  I ended up taking Carys out of the service about 10 minutes before it ended, but all things considered, that's pretty good endurance for a 1 year old!  

We had a beautiful and special Christmas at home and at church, but above all we are thankful that 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16