Christmas Round 1

Christmas was a little different for us this year. We knew we weren't going to be home for Christmas morning and we knew we couldn't take all the presents with us on the airplane. So then the question was, what to do? Do we let the kids open their gifts early, or do we make them wait until we get home? If we let them open them early, how early do we do it? The night before we leave or sooner?

Dan and I didn't really come to a concrete decision. So, it kind of happened at the spur of the moment, or should I say on a fluke. We had the opportunity to go Christmas Caroling with the members of the Bishopric and Presidents of the Auxiliaries on the Monday before Christmas. The kids had really wanted to open their gifts for FHE, so Daddy said if they cooperated during caroling we might be able to open them when we got home. I didn't think he was really serious until the kids were in their PJs and passing the gifts around. To tell you the truth I think he was a little surprised how it happened too.

Opening gifts from Sister Egbert. She got them these cool felt books. Noah's was Noah's Ark and Zoe's was The Miracles of Jesus. They have sure made for some good quiet activity during Sacrament Meeting.

Then it was time to open the gifts from Grandma Mona and Grandpa Kyle.

Cute singing puppets...

Some needed new clothes. They managed to find pants that fit Noah perfectly. Long enough for his height and small enough for his waist. They are lifesavers. They are always good about sending things the kids need. It helps our budget go so much farther.

They are also good about sending them something educational. We've had fun using these books. It was very fitting that they were Disney.

Jack's first Christmas present. The box was almost as big as he was and he really didn't know what to do with it. But his older brother and sister sure had fun helping him figure it out.

He sure doesn't like the flash.

In the end, I think it happened the best way possible. The kids had a lot of fun kicking off the Christmas week and celebrating all week long.