Santa Clause Is Coming to Town

We decided that Santa was going to come on Christmas Eve morning this year. We had thought that maybe he could actually come on Christmas Day this year since we were home, but I don't think the kids would have waited until I got home from work on Christmas Day morning. To prevent me missing out on seeing the Santa excitement we choose to have him come a day early. The night before we all read the Christmas story in our pajamas, put out Christmas cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer. The kids also made a mad dash to get their rooms picked up since Santa said he was going to check their rooms.

Getting all set up for Santa. Next year we will have to make room for one more stocking by the fireplace.

The kids did a great job this year and actually slept in until 6:30 instead of the usual 5am on the day Santa comes. Caleb got his Lego City Mine Set which was exactly what he had asked for.

Bryce was also very excited with his Lego Castle.

Abby had given Santa kind of a vague answer as to what she wanted so he brought her a dolly stroller and then some fun stocking stuffers. She was thrilled. She was also happy to see that Santa had listened and brought her new baby sister a little toy and bottles.

Caleb was too excited to put his Lego's down.

Robb was off for the whole week so we spent the day playing with our toys and putting together massive amounts of Lego's. This Christmas was different in the fact that no one day felt like Christmas but it was a great weeks worth of Christmases.

 Since we were home this year we actually got to go to our church for Christmas Eve service, which is something that we have never got to do before. We have heard that the 7:00 service is really busy so we got all dressed up and went a little early. We ended up sitting for a long time before the service and the kids did great. At one point when all the kids were just sitting quietly and we were all listening to the Christmas music I had a thought.....next year we will be sitting here with an 11 month old. Wow that is going to be life changing. I leaned over and shared this with Robb and he also seemed to be slightly shocked by that realization.

The church service was beautiful and we really enjoyed it. After church all the kids were very tired from a long busy day and we went home to get everyone into bed. On the way home I found out that Jenny, one of my long time friends, had finally delivered her baby. I had been awaiting the news all day and since I was scheduled to work in the NICU Christmas Eve night I felt like being there with Jenny's baby made it worth it. A little after 9:00 I got the call from work that it would be helpful if I could come a little early due to the fact that they were going to fly Jenny's baby to Omaha. I got the call from Jenny minutes later. I told Robb goodbye and Merry Christmas and headed into work. I got there just in time to say goodbye to Jenny, Bob and baby Evey. It always breaks my heart to work on a holiday but at least I didn't miss out on too much with the family.