This is a picture of our family before the Christmas Eve service.  I didn’t realize I was holding my belly, but I guess I just can’t wait to include Rose in everything!!!  The big joke of Christmas was Anna Kate’s need for an “ice pack!” every time she slipped while we were at Poppa and Rara’s.  She did take one big fall (I’m so sorry little one) at the beginning, and after that, she loved the “ice pack” attention.  She’d run to the freezer and whine “ice pack” “ice pack” until someone came to get it out for her!

When we got home, we made Poppa’s homemade pizzas.  The girls loved helping add the ingredients, and this has become a fun Christmas eve tradition for us!

This picture is great in so many ways.  My belly really makes me laugh!

We draw names on the Banks side for Christmas, so next on the agenda was to skype the Eberts and open “Secret Santa” gifts in the game room/Poppa’s “war” room as it was nicknamed from the Neches River Wildlife Refuge project.

Since it was Christmas morning in Japan, Drew and Anna loved showing us their Christmas presents.

 

We loved spending time with John and Nancy!

Noelle made all of her grandparents homemade crafts this year.  She was so proud to have worked hard on her gifts this year!  She keeps bragging about how much everyone loved her crafts; she has such a giving heart.  Okay, one more story about Noelle… in the car before Christmas, she stated to me, “I am going to give all my pennies to the poor and do chores to get more money. God would be so proud of me if I did that!”  Noelle’s got something special going on with her little heart!

 

Thanks Rara for the custom “N” apron and Samantha movie.  We’ve already watched it 3 times I think, and she thinks of you every time she sees it! (and the Swan Princess even more times than that!)

Each time the girls would open a present, they would bring it back to the wagon to play with.  All the girls decorated the wagon with the anticipation of a Christmas Eve wagon ride to look at the neighborhood lights (Ra’s fun idea), but it was pouring rain!  It seems like great ideas never go to waste though, because this was hilarious and something I’ll never forget!  Maybe we should have a “gift wagon” every year!

 

Mike was so happy to get some more winter hats, and Poppa struck gold with his $10, 4 huge posters inside, all about Taylor Swift magazine!  When he took Noelle grocery shopping for us last time he was in Arlington, she supposedly threw a little fit about needing this magazine.  Well, the rule is no fits if you want something, so she did not get it that day.  Needless to say, she was so shocked to open her present from Poppa to find this and beyond thrilled! 

Isn’t Jax a little cutie!

More loot!  

   

Poppa with Jax and Cash (John and Nancy’s dog). 

Then it was time for “The Night Before Christmas,” sprinkling reindeer food (oatmeal and glitter), and then reading the Christmas story of Jesus’ birth when we were all tucked in bed.

Ever since Mike’s been working on his project, Noelle has cuddled with me until Mike gets to our room at night, so Santa was a little challenging this year.  I kept going upstairs and telling her I had to go back down and check on one more thing (make sure cookies for Santa were in place, make sure kitchen lights were turned off, etc).  I finally got it all unloaded and laid out.  She wanted three things: an American girl doll, a bathrobe, and a charm bracelet.  I added some accessories for the doll and cute things I couldn’t resist throughout the year.  She kept saying, “Wow, Santa brought me lots of bonuses!”  Each time she discovered an item that was not on her list, she’d say, “This is a bonus!”

Anna Kate helped me with her stash too.  On school days, when we were out and about, she’d find things to play with in the store, and we’d buy them together for Christmas.  Her three things were: rain boots, piano, and “car keys.”  Her bonuses included an outfit for her zuhzuh pet, more hamster tunnels, dolls, play food, butterfly towel, throw, and jewelry!

I anticipated Christmas morning more than ever before!!!