We woke up Christmas morning and immediately headed downstairs to open our last book (we open a Christmas book each day before Christmas)... the Bible! It was so cute because as soon as Finley tore off just a bit of the paper she exclaimed "BIBLE!" It cracks me up that she knows the difference between regular books and the Bible.
We opened it up to Luke and read the Christmas story together. This was probably the reason I most enjoyed having already had our Christmas the day before. We could spend time just reading about our Savior's birth without the distraction of presents. I admit I am easily distractable so this was as much for me as it was for anyone else!
Sadly this is our best family picture.
After we read the Bible and grabbed some coffee, we headed back upstairs to get dressed and then packed up the car and headed to Devin's parents' house. Once everyone had arrived, we began opening presents.
We always open youngest to oldest and we have found it works best to go youngest to oldest with just the kids presents and then while they are playing go youngest to oldest with the adult presents. This year we opened our stockings and then everyone said "Finley, it's your turn!" and I broke in "Wait! LbC has some presents so technically he is the youngest!" We all laughed that he was getting to go first when he isn't even here yet!
Finley wasn't into opening presents AT ALL. She preferred to play in Grandma and PaPa's play room. I think she was a bit overwhelmed and we didn't see any reason to force it so we opened her presents for her. We did ask her to open the very last present and seeing some of her other presents, she fully cooperated! =) Her big gift was a dollhouse with what could have only been every accessory that went with it! She immediately started playing with it and I think it will be a fun toy for her. She also got a darling jewelry box from Pottery Barn Kids that I had been eyeing and an apron set and cookbook from Aunt Amy. The apron set is pink and red so it will be perfect with her red kitchen! In fact, I put a little hook on the side of the kitchen so we could hang it up.
After presents, we ate lunch. Devin and I were excited about traditional holiday food. I happen to love that my family eats steak because I'm not a huge turkey fan, but I do love the typical starches-- mashed potatoes, dressing, and bread!
Once we finished lunch, we packed back up and headed to my family's celebration. Since it is a two hour drive, we were anxious to get there so that we could spend time with them and not feel like we had to immediately get back in the car for the two hour drive back. Finley was asleep in the car before we even hit the interstate. She slept all the way there which was a relief. We weren't sure how her nap schedule would be since we were on the go so much and she hasn't been sleeping that well in the car lately.
Devin and I both said a silent prayer for Finley before getting to my dad's house. We really just had no idea how she would do. It had been an exhausting two days for all of us. Fortunately, Finley had a BLAST while we were with my family. She could not have been better! When we first got there, she ate so I was really nervous about what she would do while we were eating, but she literally sat on the living room floor playing with the Mr. Potato Head that my aunt and uncle had gotten her for her birthday. We hadn't seen them so they were just now able to give her her birthday gift so it just worked out great for her to have a new toy to occupy her while we were eating! Mr. Potato Head is one of her favorite toys at school so she had no problems putting him together and taking him apart.
Finley loves my dad and though she had a GREAT time with him, she equally gave her attention to her Uncle West and Aunt Tracey this time. I think they were exhausted by the time we all left! I love seeing Finley with my family because I always worry that since we don't see them as often that she won't be as close to them, but God is so gracious because she always seems to jump right into Grandpa Bill's lap and play peek-a-boo with Uncle West and Aunt Tracey!
Uncle West and Aunt Tracey bought her some of her favorite toys... a vacuum, a cash register, and a 4 wheeler!!!!!!!!!!! Seeing her on the 4 wheeler has to be one of the funniest things I have EVER seen. I was laughing so hard that my cheeks hurt. She has no idea how to steer so we had to help her cruise around Grandpa Bill's living room. She had so much fun. It was hysterical!
Unfortunately, it was time to go too soon and we headed back home. Finley stayed awake for a little bit, but crashed before we made it back home. I was thankful that she had such an amazing Christmas!
We are so blessed and made so many great memories this year! It's hard to imagine how our family will look like next year... I couldn't help but think how much has changed this past year and how we have no idea what the next year will hold. Being pregnant at this time of year also has me relating to Mary in new ways. I've been thinking about her a lot and find comfort in knowing that regardless of what was in store for her, she chose to "treasure all these things in her heart." (Luke 2:51) This is my goal as a mother and I have so much to treasure this holiday season!
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