Blessed Beyond Measure: Christmas 2015

For us, Christmas Day was a wonderfully lazy day at home together as a family. We snuggled, opened presents, played, ate yummy food, enjoyed Christmas lights, napped and stayed in our jammies for almost the entire day. It was basically the perfect day.

The day started just before 7am, when Asher woke up. Eric and I quietly went down stairs to greet him and enjoy a few quiet moments with him. For anyone that knows Asher, he is not exactly a morning person. There is rarely any excitement spewing from him when he first wakes up. Rather he is a bit like his mommy (i.e. don't look at me...don't talk to me), and even though it was Christmas morning, some things remain. It wasn't until he woke up a bit more that the excitement came through, but it came eventually!

Video: Santa's Cookies Are Gone

A little after Asher woke up, Avery and my parents woke up as well. Then after a few more Christmas morning photos, our Christmas morning prayer time, whipping up some cherry-cheese danishes and getting the "FP" and Alabama Christmas playing on the jambox, it was present time! (Warning: continue at your own risk...this is another extremely photo heavy entry!)

Christmas 2015 Family Photo

Avery didn't want to sit still for a photo...

...so Asher put him in a headlock! ;)

Asher & Avery opening the first gifts of the day (two gifts for both of them)

They got some new additions for their play kitchen: A toy mixer and toaster (which works so well the toast shoot up about a foot into the air!)

I got some new socks...but not just any socks, some of the most incredibly comfy socks I've ever worn!!! <3

Asher got the Dino Meal game he's had his eye on from Santa...unfortunately it scares him to death! The TRex lunges at you and Asher wants to play but then wants nothing to do with the TRex. He was so stressed by the game that while he was playing with Eric and I was picking up wrapping paper, there was a piece that was tucked under his butt. When I went to pull it out from under him, he jumped about a foot into the air!

Eric got a contracting calculator...gifts just aren't as exciting when you're adult!

Avery trying out his new toys.

Papa opening up one of his gifts from us. We go him hairspray! It may seem silly, but he buys a bottle at our local Great Clips almost every time he comes to visit!

At one point in the morning, Avery disappeared. When we found him, we found that he'd crawled up at the table and was trying yet again to get close to Santa's cookie plate. :) Little Stinker!

Avery's gift from Santa

The little people zoo...which I (Santa) purchased on amazon for about 60% off...I was SO excited!)

Asher cautiously keeping an eye on the Dino Meal TRex.

Emma kept getting in the way and trying to open our presents, so we gave her one of hers (a squeaky tennis ball). She immediately lost it under the couch, so we had to get her another.

Asher got his very first set of Big Boy Legos! (we parents are SO EXCITED!!) :P

Avery keeping tabs on Emma playing behind the couch.

One thing that we hadn't really anticipated with present opening is the fact that Asher wants to play with every.single.one of his gifts before opening the next present. He just cannot wait, which makes for a LONG present opening. Since we had nothing to do that day though and were in no hurry, that wasn't a problem. So, when the danishes were done, we took a little break from presents to eat a little breakfast treat and let the boys play for a little bit.

Avery was more interested in the danishes than his toys.

Asher could not wait to start assembling his new Legos.

When our danishes were gone and Asher was done with his legos, we went back to the living room to open more presents...

Asher opened a Cash Register for both the boys...

& our little book worm got a new book.

Showing his new book to Papa and Grandma

And snuggling in to read. <3

Precious moments with Grandma.

Love & Snuggles.

I got Eric a towel...but not just any towel...his very own Bath Sheet (Huge towels are the best!)

& yes, he got a pot...to make us huge batches of yummy soups and chili! (he's just so good at it!) :)

I captured Avery attempting to capture his own photo with my iPhone...I think he's getting a bit to good at working it!

Avery and I playing tug-o-war with a present.

Asher got an awesome plane that comes with its own power screwdriver to assemble (& disassemble) on your own...he LOVED it!

Asher & Papa building his plane.

While all of the present opening was going on, Avery was in an OK mood, but really not himself. The reason: HORRIBLE diaper rash! :( Seriously, this was the worst diaper rash I've ever seen. His entire cute little butt was bright red with oozing blisters and some bloody spots. Poor little guy wouldn't let us hold him under his butt and started to scream every time he would poop (which was abnormally frequent). We all felt so bad for him, and after a while decided to late him run around naked for a bit to let his bottom dry out, diaper free. Since we didn't want him to pee all over, we took another little break from presents as he walked around the kitchen and dining room with Grandma (who did get peed on) for a while. When he started to get antsy, we let him open up a present in the kitchen to have something to play with...hence the naked present pics below! :)

Dad enjoying the break to play with his new binoculars.

Video: Squeaker

As soon as Emma got her squeaky ball, she did what she always does and ripped out the squeaker. Eric picked it up and put it in his mouth becoming our very own squeaky toy...quite entertaining to a three and one year old! :)

When we continued the present opening in the living room, we let Avery run around in nothing but a loose-fitting diaper for the remainder of the morning.

My boys enjoying a Christmas morning wrestle.

Avery & Asher opening up a gift from Eric's aunt and uncle.

The result of a loose fitting diaper: Baby butt crack

The boys got a Nerf Football and Nerf Basketball set from Eric's aunt and uncle. Avery thought they were great, but was most interested in the box.

My and my little love.

All of my boys getting into the present opening and helping Daddy!

Avery's last big present

His very own race car track!

Asher's last gift...

His very own snowblower to help Daddy!

Asher pushing his snowblower. It's a bit smaller than I'd hoped (dimensions were impossible to get online), but he still likes it.

After three hours of opening we were almost done. All we had left to check out were our stockings from Santa. We spent a little more time going through these and opening the tiny gifts inside them and then spent the rest of the morning playing and eating a late breakfast.

Brothers

This kid LOVES my phone!

Since we had had a late breakfast, we simply enjoyed playing together and then took naps at around lunch time. When everyone woke but we enjoyed some more playtime together and munched on some caramel corn. Then once it was dark out, we piled into the van and headed over to Christmas Lane for a stroll to enjoy the christmas lights together.

Asher & Papa playing with the boys' new Minion playdoh barber shop.

Caramel Corn...Yum!

Lazy family time. <3

Avery and Mom walking down Christmas Lane

My guys: Asher, Dad, Avery & Eric.

I wish I could have gotten a good picture. Avery was in awe of the lights and especially the moving decorations. In particular there was a "whack a penguin" decoration that he just couldn't get enough of.

Our own Christmas lights.

Finally, our Christmas day drew to a close. We gathered together at the table to enjoy a yummy dinner of baked ziti and salad. Then we enjoyed a bit more playtime and headed off to bed. It was a perfect relaxing family day!