Santa? I KNOW him!

After lunch on Christmas Day we loaded up & headed to my parents’ house. It had been spitting snow a little all day, but none of it stuck. :0( Riley kept saying that he wanted to go play in it the whole drive. I hated there wasn’t any for him to play in but something…or someONE, I should say, drew his attention elsewhere when we arrived.

None other than Santa himself (aka my dad) was at Bubba & ViVi’s house! It totally caught Riley off guard & he was terrified. He never cried, but buried his head in TAG’s shoulder & cut his eyes at Santa. He of course had no idea it was really just his grandpa. Santa told him that this was his last stop & that he was heading back to the North Pole shortly. He tried to get a hug, but Riley wasn’t having it! He did cautiously take the candy cane from him but that was as close as he was going to get!



Both kids were real excited about this picture. Can’t you just see it on their faces?!



I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus…



Poor little guy had this deer-in-the-headlights look for at least 15 minutes after Santa left. I think he was still trying to figure out if he was dreaming or if that had really just happened!



Once we settled in, after Santa left & my dad “got out of the shower” (we told him that he juuusst missed Santa Claus!) we opened more presents & our stockings.



We always get a pecan roll candy & an orange in addition to our other stocking stuffers. Averly was eyeing TAG’s candy here!



Little Miss was enjoying her first Christmas! I felt so blessed to have both of my babies on Christmas this year! They make everyday so special for me.



Please notice the stockings hanging in behind us. They were knitted by one of my grandmother’s friends & my grandma gave them to my parents (just their 2) before my sister & I were born & when we came along, we were added as well. They are so old & missing a few details here & there (like Santa’s foot on the one behind me) but we love getting them out every year. It brings back so many memories.



Later on Christmas night Davie & Mindy always come over. I just love them so much! They are basically our god-parents. TAG & I got married at their beautiful house, they have been there for mine & my sister’s births, as well as both of my children’s.



And then the day after Christmas, my best friend Kelly & her husband came by to visit. Riley loves his Aunt Kel & asks to go swimming any time he sees her! He loves going swimming at her house!



My little Sugar Plum was still taking it all in!  

Up To Christmas Morning

We had lots of celebrating in the few days leading up to Christmas. Riley was so excited this year because he actually understood what was going on. He would say "Mewwy Mismus and to all a yood night!" and "Happy Birsday Sheshus!" He is such a sweetie! And of course, "What's Santa gonna bring?"

I say it every year, but this was the BEST Christmas ever! It literally just gets better & better every year. This year, though, I had both of my babies to love on (since Averly was still in my belly last Christmas). Seeing the  smiles on their faces was pure joy!



The day before Christmas Eve Riley got to open one of his presents from us because he used the potty several times that day. {Gotta love the bribing!}He was so excited & I just couldn't wait to see his reaction on Christmas morning!



Later on Hartley came over to exchange gifts!

 

Then on Christmas Eve Bubba, ViVi, Aunt Brooke, Uncle Josh & Aunt Mamie came. Poor Jamie had to work on Christmas Eve & then drive 4 hours to our house so she was late getting there, but she finally made it!



Brooke & Josh got Riley a train set that none of us ever could completely figure out! It was so complicated & HUGE! I have no idea where we are going to put it! Riley loves it though! TAG is going to work on it some more this weekend. :0)



Mom’s serving dish I got her that Brooke’s mother-in-law made. She makes the most beautiful pottery!



I LOVE Averly’s face in this picture! She was wanting to give her Dada kisses.



Then everyone changed into their pajamas for the night to get ready for Santa to come. (I obviously hadn’t yet.)



Averly & her Mamie in their onsies! Haha!



Riley was very focused writing his letter to Santa. He even drew him a reindeer!

 

Santa came!! They must have been very good this year!



Riley’s reaction when he saw that Santa had been there! He was a little overwhelmed but soooo excited!



Averly’s first reaction on her first Christmas morning was priceless.



The first thing Riley went for was this tiny little Iron Man toy…go figure. He did end up playing with everything though.



Averly loves her baby dolls!



Santa left one last present in the garage!



We ate brunch at our house & spent the whole morning playing with our new things before we got ready to go to my parents’ house.



Then off to Bubba & ViVi’s house to see if Santa had been there yet!

Merry Christmas!!!