Did Santa Stop at Our House This Year???

I wish I could say Goose and I were strong and we made the kids wait to open their big gifts from us until Christmas morning, but that just wasn't the case...That's right we caved. They opened them when we got home from looking at Christmas lights. The bad part is, the kids weren't even begging to open a gift...we wanted them to open their gifts.

Syd was first...

 

Yay...A baby Rapunzel!!!

Ten went next...so sweet to pose for the camera.

A Leap Pad...she keeps calling it her iPod...silly girl!!!

Miles waited very patiently for his turn...

A double holster with 6 shooter cap guns!!!

"Reach for the sky!"...how appropriate that he wanted to wear his Sheriff Woody pjs

Syd slipped off to a quite spot to fix baby Rapunzel's hair.

I love these next two pictures, because on my computer if you switch between them really fast, it actually looks like he is practicing his quick draw skills...

Pretty cute little Sheriff Woody if I do say so myself!

Miles' spoils from Santa...

Sydney's spoils from Santa...

Tenley's spoils from Santa...

Spider man to the rescue...someone should tell him he forgot to change into the right pjs :-)

She was very excited about her big girl cup and straw...

She got an apron to help Momma in the kitchen...

Noah's ark...where to put all the animals, that is the question...

I think this one is her favorite...so far. She plays with it ALL the time, and she is very quick to tell the other kids, MINE!

Miles took his time looking over all his toys...it was pretty cute. It was like he didn't want to miss anything...

Yay...she was the first to discover the tunnel on the tent...

Digging for the candy...his Daddy was so proud!

A little time with the LeapPad...

Santa brought Miles a new set Chaps and Vest...now he is ready to be a real cowboy...bring on the baby cows!

After much playing...we all settled down for some wonderful Pillsbury cinnamon rolls...yum!

I think it is safe to say that Santa did in fact stop at our house this year! I don't think I've heard any of the kids say they wanted something they didn't get. Now that they are sufficiently spoiled...bring on the new year!!!

Christas Eve Service

The Christmas Eve service is one of my favorite services of the year. I love hearing the REAL Christmas story told, singing the classic Christmas hymns, candle light, being surrounded by great church family, and the kids dressed in the Christmas best...what's not to love?!? I tell you if they would have been serving hot chocolate...I would have thought I was in heaven!

The kids just love when I MAKE then pose for photo shoots...little do they know I want to look back and "remember" dressing them like this all the time. :-)

This one was too funny not to post. Notice Miles is posing perfectly. Sydney didn't want her picture taken so when Ten tried to pick her up and hold her for the picture(even though we tell her daily not to pick Syd up) Syd kicked her in the shin...

Still Miles stays composed...

This was probably the best one I got of all three...little stinkers, don't they know if they would just smile pretty for the camera it would all be over...

Once again Ten trying to help...She IS my big helper!

Sweet Syd. Isn't she cute in her outfit! Uncle Ra and Aunt Pam got it for her for Christmas. They thought of everything from her head band all the way down to her tights and adorable red shoes.

My handsome boy. I was all prepared for the fight it was going to take to get him to wear his Christmas sweater...boy did he surprise me. I pulled it out and he said Oh, I like that shirt. I'm pretty sure Goose had to pick my jaw up off the floor. Usually he HATES any shirt with sleeves.

My pretty girl! Yes, her dress is a little too big, but once she tried it on, there was just no other dress that would do. She was so cute walking around in it. You could tell she felt like a princess.

After the Christmas Eve service we drove around and look at Christmas lights. Another one of my favorite things to do. Then we headed home... 

Stansell Family Christmas...

This year was a crazy Christmas for several reasons but the kids didn't seem to mind. You know with kids it's all about the gifts and getting to open them. Although I think we need a new system...the little kids don't get the concept. I say from now on, kids 2 and under just get to tear into their gifts, then we can cycle through the older grand kids, and then the adults...

Ok, so apparently I have my kids mixed up. Tenley seems to really enjoy getting clothes, and Syd is the one that isn't impressed with getting clothes...dually noted, I'll remember next year.

I think she liked tearing off the Christmas paper more than she actually liked getting gifts. She's young...she'll learn.

Miles was pretty impressed with his Woody and Buzz pjs. He even wore his Woody ones that night.

See...she's a pro at taking the wrapping off, she double fists it!!

Eagerly waiting for Momma to get the toy together...

Syd's taking Cookie Monster for a ride in her new stroller...

She said, "I have been wanting one of these ALL year"...she is a mess. But she does appreciate her gifts!!

MOTORCYCLES!!!!

Trying on her little Cow hat...too cute!

Miles with his big gift.
The next morning...Me: Miles what was your favorite toy. Miles: I don't want to say. Me: Why, are you afraid you are going to hurt some one's feelings? Miles: I'll whisper it in your ear. Me: Ok. Miles:(whispering) My truck, trailer, horses, and motorcycle.
So stinkin sweet...I think he thought it was wrong to like one toy more than the others. I assure you, he plays with ALL his toys. There is just something about trucks and trailers and catch his attention.

The kids, well...they have so many new toys now it's ridiculous, but we wouldn't have it any other way. I'm so glad everything worked out and our Stansell clan was all able to be together, it just wouldn't be the same any other way.

A Surprise Visit From Santa...

Even though this is Santa's busiest time of year, he managed to stop by Grandnanna and Grampa's to visit with the grand kids. 

The best part was when Luke opened the door, saw Santa, squealed and ran off. I think deep down he thought Santa was coming to talk to him about the way he has been acting this year(according to Alanna I should have gotten him two lumps of coal :-)) 

Tenley was the first in line. She had been asking me when she was going to get to see Santa, so she could tell him what she wanted...She wasn't going to miss out on this opportunity.

What a big girl...no tears!

Once she got warmed up, there was no stopping her. She had a list a mile long, I don't think anyone understood her, but me. That didn't stop her, she just kept right on telling him what she wanted.

Poor Miles...so shy. He just couldn't take all the attention. So he covered up his eyes and told Santa what he wanted. He was talking so quite that Goose had to lean down and ask him again. I will say this, he didn't scream, so technically he still holds the record with my kids of not screaming with Santa.

Not exactly the picture I wanted, but I guess it's better than nothing!

He preferred to watch Santa from a distance...

So sweet...I turned and saw Tenley telling Santa a secret. There is no telling what she said...I'm going with the sometimes it's better not to know!!!

The big man and his #1 elf...

Yeah so I'm terrible and getting the group shots...

You thought I was kidding, but Luke really didn't want anything to do with him, he wouldn't even join the group shots. Ian was there too, but none of mine with him in them were usable(sorry Cara, I hope you got better ones)

He wouldn't be Santa if he came without bearing gifts...He had one for each kid of course...

I couldn't believe Syd actually put her hat on...

I guess she wanted candy...

I think the kids were pretty impressed that Santa took time to come see them. I have to say it was pretty cool. Plus speaking as a Mom, I didn't have to wait in a long line with 3 restless kids waiting for a so/so picture. I think we should make this a yearly event...hint hint Grandnanna :-)