Merry Christmas!

Today started bright and early with Abby snuggling in bed with me before 7am. She said that she had already gone to look at the stockings and felt them all, but she didn't open any yet. :) She was just a little bit excited! We got up and got Grace and headed to the stockings. Abby knew just what to do, however Grace needed a little prompting. She just wanted to watch Abby open her presents and then take those presents away from Abby and play with them. In Grace's stocking was a new toothbrush and she's in love with it! She takes it with her everywhere and is constantly brushing her teeth. She even had to take it with her while she napped this afternoon. Too cute!
After stockings we got ready for church and headed over to the combined service. Then we came home for more presents with Papa, Nana and Grandma Folkert. The excitement was palpable! Abby couldn't be patient enough for her presents and Grace just wanted to open every present under the tree, even if it wasn't for her. It's so much fun to have kids around during Christmas!

It's time to open the presents!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (This should be said with huge amounts of screaming!)

Abby picked out little presents for everyone from our school store. No one knew what they were except for Abby and she picked out such great ones! Papa got an ornament that says: #1 Grandpa. Good choice!

Nana got a #1 Grandma book mark holder. A perfect choice for a grandma who loves to read!

She giggled and giggled with every present she opened. She also helped to open everyone else's presents too!

A Pillow Pet!!!!!!!!!!!!! (of course, said with lots of screaming and giggling!)

A Madame Alexander doll! This doll is adorable! She also got some clothes and shoes and even a Dutch outfit for her. Her name is still up for debate. Suggestions are welcome :)

Grace got a new shopping cart. She proceeded to tell all of us "Bye-Bye!" as she zoomed through the living room and kitchen with her cart.

New American Girl videos! Some great movie time is coming up soon!

Matching Hope College socks for Nana and Papa. This gift was so fun to give and brought lots and lots of laughter! They can't wait to wear them and there are 2 home games this week, what a way to break them in! Let's 'hope" they're good luck socks!

A new puzzle for Grace that works on opening and closing different locks and doors. She loves it!

Abby was beyond thrilled with this present. Her own guitar!!!!!!!! She's been wanting one of these for a long time. She often spends time creating her own songs and singing and singing and singing. She immediately brought it to Papa for him to tune it and away she went. She's been stringing and humming with it all afternoon. Do I have a future rockstar on my hands?

Pollys, pollys, and more pollys! Abby loves these little things. She sets up whole neighborhoods and plays with them nonstop. It's so fun to watch.

Once all the present are opened there's a race to find the pickle ornament. Whoever finds the pickle, gets the very last present. It was Papa vs. Nana vs. Grandma Folkert vs. Abby. And the winner was......PAPA! He opened the last present and got Jelly Belly jellybeans!

These three waiting for a breakfast feast. There were homemade waffles, sausage souffle, pineapple/banana salad and even dessert! And it was served on Grandma's china. Awesome!!

A long day finished off with a warm snuggle surrounded by new presents. Ahhhh......

But let us not forget. This day is the day of our Lord's birth. The day God became man to save us from our sins. We love you now and forever Lord!!