Christmas Day

This Christmas we tried something new.  We were trying to have a more Christ-centered Christmas, and to help do this, we said each kid was going to get 3 gifts from us.  Just as Jesus Christ received 3 gifts - gold, frankincense and myrrh, each of the kids will get 3 gifts (from us.)   I had heard of the 3-gift thing many times, but it wasn't until a friend (thanks Brittany) described each gift specifically, that we decided to try it.

Here's how she explained it:

Gold is "a gift of great value": One present the kids REALLY want. 

Frankincense represents "the presence of God": So for this I give them something they need, usually clothing of some sort. 

Myrrh was "used to anoint the body for burial": For this one I give something that they can share.

It worked out really well for us, and we're definitely going to continue it as a new tradition.  As we read Christmas stories for the month leading to the 25th, we also explained what we were going to do.  They still wrote out their Santa letters, and we decided what fit into each category.  Under their names on the tags, we also labeled them as "gold", "need", or "share."  They also received one gift from Santa, along with a few board games for the whole family, and one big family gift.

Christmas morning.  Never fails - we hear the kids running around like a herd of elephants above our head before the designated time to come down the stairs.  This year we said 7am, but heard them "whispering" to each other around 6:30.  Not bad though - we got up so as not to prolong their agony.

I manned the video camera, while Del snapped pics.  We take turns opening presents so everybody can see what everybody else gets, and to make the "big event" last longer.  Then when it's OUR turn to open gifts, the kids took turns (fight over) taking pictures and videoing.  Some snap pics better than others, but they ALL had to have a turn.

At the top of the stairs waiting for the OK to come down and pillage.

Rylee with her "Blue Sparkly Bear with Sparkly Clothes" that she asked Santa for.

Cupcake Maker for the girls to share.

Bug, Trav and Matt - video games to share.

Matt's new ipod (gold)

Bug's new iPod (gold)

Trav's new iPod (gold)

(Everybody else looks like DEATH to open presents too, right?)

Del bought me a charm bracelet for our anniversary a few weeks ago, and then took all the kids to pick out their own charms for me for Christmas.  I thought it was such a cool idea!   It was so fun to see what they all came up with:

Matt - a crown, because he wanted me to feel ROYAL.

Bug - a teardrop with a dove that says PEACE.

Trav - a heart with a bow for LOVE.

Sydney - a cupcake, because she liked that it opened.   (To hold something the size of a pea -what do people put in there anyway?)

Rylee - a cute little blue present with pink bow, because it's Christmas.

I also got a really nice scanner (gold) from my sweet husband - (Travis had the camera, and this picture cracks me up - half my face.  I'm ok with that though.)

Del- thrilled with his stock-pile of socks. (need)  (Not a word, KIM!)

With his handy little drill - we've already used it - so handy! (share)

Del's new garage radio - heavy duty construction radio with iPod hook-up.  (gold)  

Plus his own supply of mini pecan pies - his favorite.

Because a man isn't a man without tools.

For Christmas dinner it was just us - Turkey, home-made rolls (uh huh, I can make them if Kelsey's not around), mashed potatoes, stuffing etc. etc.  YUMMY!  We even used the fancy stuff - table cloth that doesn't fit, chargers, cloth napkins with rings, and goblets!  (Kids LOVED that.)  Matt is missing - I know.

Poor Matt was SICK all day for Christmas - throwing up and other stuff.  Poor guy couldn't keep anything down.  It started with Del, then moved to Rylee 2 days before, and then Matt.  We're wondering who's next...

BTW - finally got my Christmas cards mailed TODAY.  Better late than never.

Merry Christmas everybody - hope yours was as happy as ours.  (minus Matthew's.)