Happy New Year!

I have many updates for this blog; specifically, our amazing trip to the Caribbean! But before I get around to that, I needed to post some Christmas pictures while it's still timely.

Last year, we decided we really wanted to try to be in OUR home on Christmas day. We love traveling to see family, but we thought maybe we can get into the habit of traveling before or after the big day. That way, our kids could wake up in their own beds, and run down to their own tree, and have their own Christmas traditions with us. I'm not sure we'll always stick to this plan, but so far, we love the routine.

Christmas morning started out with a ribbon the kids had to break through to get to their gifts:

It was a magical Christmas for the kids. Stone is at the age where Santa and Christmas rock his world. Emerson follows his lead. I think having older siblings helps the younger kids grasp the excitement.

Emerson's big gift was a BIG trike. Keep going to read about the trike swap.

All she really needed (and used all day) was her new purse, her dress up kit & princess dress, and chapsticks (which she thinks is lipstick, of course):

Stone had a blast opening the gifts, and was so excited about everything he received:

(this annoying megaphone (see below) is a toy he plays with EVERY single time we go to Marshalls or TJ Maxx. It's been there FOREVER. Finally a few months ago, I grabbed it for the Christmas stash)--

I love that Christmas landed on a Sunday this year. We were able to go to church and really remember what the whole point of this great celebration is.

....

So let's back up the train. Emerson's trike was HUGE. I found a great deal, I loved it, and I grabbed it. "Santa" put it together the night before, and we were laughing uncontrollably at how gigantic this thing was (I DID get it at a tractor store, so I guess we should have expected it!). Well, it was too large, and we exchanged it for something a little more petite and classic:

Emerson completely understands how to ride the thing, but her legs need just a few months more of growth to complete the rotation.

But no worries. Stone takes her on rides, and she laughs the whole way:

We were at the park yesterday, and Emerson was yelling "weeee!!! weeeee!!!". Stone then turned around, and said, "Emmy. Will you please stop saying "weeee"?!" ...in a very annoyed tone. This little family nearby was cracking up. I love my kids.

I hope y'all had a fabulous Christmas and I hope you are off to a great new year. I can't wait to share the rest of our December happenings with you SOON.