Merry Christmas!

Christmas has, without a doubt, always been my favorite holiday. This year we truly saw this day through the eyes of our girls. We did not come by parenthood along the easiest or quickest of avenues, and don't take it for granted for a minute. We're incredibly thankful for being a family. We have children who are happy, healthy, love loving others and love to be loved in return. They are gifts and we thank God for them everyday. We're also thankful for our extended family and friends who love us and love our girls. Merry Christmas.

Sometimes you've got to take a break right where you are.

Christmas Eve church service....
After the service our girls and Julane's boys ran willy nilly all over the place, happy to see each other. I've said it before, but the boys are so good to our girls.

After dinner we celebrated Christmas Eve at my dad and Margie's new house. Peyton went and got a chair to help herself to the appetizers on the island.
Jayden guards the top of the stairs on the chair we put up as an impromptu baby gate. He's dressed as an elf because he went to the hospital with my dad earlier in the day to pass out candy canes to patients. My dad was Rudolf, Jayden was the elf.
This we now know about Peyton: Whatever gift she opens first will be the gift she loves most. After opening the Wonder Pets "fly boat", she wasn't too interested in any other gifts.
Christmas morning excitement at the Dovers.
Libby digs in.
Oliver's unimpressed by it all.
Mom and Jayden try on some new digs.

Working together.
Peyton takes a whack (literally) at a new toy.
Have you seen A Christmas Story? Remember the pink bunny costume? My mom found these on clearance after Halloween. Libby's Elmo. Peyton's Cookie Monster.
Winding down and watching Jayden play the WII.
What a great day. Thanks to you who have loved us this year. We love you too. We are so blessed.