Christmas Morning (AZ version)

We enjoyed our Christmas a home before we headed to Utah. The kids are young enough to not know any different so they really went along with our plan. :)
We had "Christmas Eve" on Friday, Dec. 10th. I had so much fun getting ready with a traditional Christmas Eve dinner with ham and trimmings. Because the kids were so excited it wasn't hard at all to get into the spirit of the season and feel the magic a little early.

After dinner we enjoyed making sugar cookies. The more sprinkles the better, right?

See that ball of cookie dough in his mouth? I think he knew he'd been caught when Daddy got it on camera.
Then we enjoyed reading the Christmas story together. Everything was cozy and magical. I wish someone would've told me how special Christmas becomes when you are the parent. I just loved helping my kids feel those wonderful inklings of the Christmas spirit.

After leaving cookies, milk, and a carrot out for Santa and his reindeer (oh, and an extra cookie for Mrs. Clause per Heidi's request), the children headed off to bead with visions of sugarplums in their little heads.

This picture is realy weird with the lighting but I just had to include it. Can you see the wonder on Heidi's face and the "I'm just following in Heidi's footsteps" look on Nathan's? Here they are rounding the corner and looking at what Santa had left in the night:

Nathan was thrilled to find a new dump truck just waiting to be driven-

And his own big boy backpack. When your Daddy is in school you think backpacks are what the heroes wear!

And what to her wondering eyes should appear....a bike!

Heidi being absolutley thrilled with a new, pink winter hat!

It really was a Merry Christmas!