Saturday, December 28, 2013

Christmas Eve celebrations!

We decided to split up our Christmas celebrations this year, so we opened our family gifts to each other on Christmas Eve morning!

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Pinocchio’s last day with us was a little sad, as we had so much fun with him this season, and we will miss him SO much!

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We were pretty excited when we came down to see so many presents!

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Ben kept grabbing Daddy’s hand and dragging him to the presents to get the show on the road!

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As usual, Abby couldn’t wait to give her gifts first, so she started with Ben…

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He loves having his own phone!

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Abby gave to Emily next, and her Pinkie Pie was a hit!

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Abby opened her ornament from Mommy first, and the Shutterfly ornaments went over well this year Smile

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Abby gave us our present next, which was a beautiful glittery pine cone in a pot that she made at school! We loved it!

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She’s getting pretty good with the camera too!

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Emily gave Abby the ornament that she painted for her at the pottery place, and Abby loved it!

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No matter what we opened, Ben kept dragging out his old train tracks and Thomas to play with… why did we even bother?

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The girls loved going over Daddy’s annual “quote” calendar from Shutterfly, filled with all the crazy things we’ve said this past year!

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Grandpa Hawk & Grandma Nancy bought us a membership to the Bronx zoo, and made each of the kids cute little “zoo bucks” wallets to take with them when we go. Thanks Grandma Nancy and Grandpa Hawk!

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Ben loves his trains more than anything this year, so his new suspension bridge from Daddy was a hit!

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The girls favorite present this year were their new iPad minis! Abby was so surprised, and Emily was just concerned that hers would be purple when she opened it!

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Even Ben loves his new apps to play…

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… but even they are not quite as cool as Facetiming with his sisters!

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After some present opening, we made Christmas cookies to bring to Nannie’s house.

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Ben just loved driving Thomas all over the counter!

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We made gingerbread cookies of the nativity scene!

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At our church Christmas Eve candlelight service, we found a way to keep Ben happy!

Daddy & Abby took turns reading “Twas the night before Christmas” before bed…

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The girls left a sweet note for Pinocchio, and they opened the gift he brought that morning…

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… a magical key to let Santa in on Christmas Eve!

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We hung it out on the door, set out our Mary, Joseph & Baby Jesus cookies for Santa, and nestled into our beds for a pretty short sleep until Christmas morning…

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Happy birthday Brian!

For Brian's birthday this year, Nannie & Grandpa came for a quick visit and we went out for one of his favorite dinner experiences.....