Christmas Day 2014

Christmas Day started off with our traditional waking up to see what Santa left.  For another blessed year, the boys let Mommy and Daddy sleep a little later and have time to get dressed before getting up to go downstairs.  They woke up after I had gotten out of the shower so they did have to wait for me to dry my hair and finish getting ready, but they were good sports.  We then took pictures before heading downstairs.

Sweet boys are ready to see what Santa brought them.

Checking it out on the way downstairs.

Brody immediately spotted his "refrigerator."

And Evan spotted his aircraft carrier.

Brody got to work cooking and poured me some much appreciated coffee.

Evan was very excited to get all the Percy Jackson books.  

Santa wrapped some presents this year to make the boys slow down a little and enjoy the suspense more.

He was very excited to get this game set with chess.  Now, he really wants someone to play chess with him.  His mommy is not very good competition.  He wants to join the chess team at school...NERD! 

More presents. He got some more dye cast planes that he asked for to go with his aircraft carrier.

Brody learns to use his new cash register. 

He loves the little microphone. 

And he wanted help opening his present.

Dr. Brody in the house.  He would actually probably have liked a Doc McStuffins set, but I just could not go with such a girl looking set. 

Opening his present from big brother. 

He got a castle play set to go with his big brother's big dragon castle.  They are really playing together a lot now. 

He begged for me to open the box. 

Then, they headed to the living room to see their stockings and found Brewster and Santa's letter. 

Digging in. 

Cocoa got a new toy and bone. 

Evan could not resist a piece of chocolate.  His toothless bite looked like a vampire had made it. 

Brody's stocking stash of candy, warm gloves, new underwear, and movies. 

Evan's stocking stash of candy, movies, warm gloves, and underwear. 

After the Christmas morning festivities at home, we packed up the car and headed to spend the day with Grandma and Daddy's family.

Since the family has grown, we continue to use the Hamlet Women's Club for our family gatherings.  I just love this beautiful old house. 

Grandpa loves being with his family.  We all sang some Christmas songs together, including Grandpa's favorite, O Beautiful Star of Bethlehem.  

Aunt Dava played the piano, and Aunt Homa led the singing.

Cousin Grady showed off his love of hats as he tried on Uncle Matthew's. 

These kids found a spot under the piano.

Grandpa opened all of his presents from the family.

Then, we headed to Grandpa's house to open presents with Grandma. 

Evan could not wait to open his present from Grandma. 

Brody got a little fishing set.  Cousin Grady got one too. 

Evan was excited about getting all of the Harry Potter movies. 

Brody opening his present from Aunt Naomi. He loved his pillow pet that was one of the trains from Thomas. 

Grady was excited that he got a shopping cart kitchen set like cousin Brody's.  

On the day after Christmas, we were all just tired and stayed in our pajamas most of the day playing with Christmas presents.  Evan and Brody enjoyed being paleontologists and digging up T. Rex bones.  Evan did one of these a couple of years ago to make a Stegosaurus skeleton so he wanted a matching T. Rex. 

Evan allowed Brody to help him, and I just loved watching them work together. 

I thought it would take them a while, but they came to me with the bones pretty quickly.