Christmas Morning

Christmas morning always starts out with a traditional photo on the stairs.  Eli's face expressed what we were all feeling, I think.  Landon boy was up so many times during the night; I lost count.  Poor baby is teething again and his gums are so swollen!

This picture cracks me up.  Eli was not happy about being woken up!

We woke the boys up at about 7:45.  I told Eli it was time to get up and see what Santa brought.  He said, "No, it's time to get up and see the snow!  It's Christmas and Christmas means snow!"  I love that thought process, but we live in south Alabama.  That would take a Christmas miracle!

Eli was silent when he saw what Santa had brought.  He just smiled and pointed.

Big brother tried to get Landy away from his train table by showing him some of the things that Santa had left him!

Then he gave up and decided to play with his train parts.

Inspected his stocking and the other things that Santa left him.

All my boys received books this year.

Eli was a great helper this year.  He helped unwrap nearly every gift, regardless of who it was to.

Eli showing Landon what he picked out for him:  a toy helicopter and a puzzle.

These next few are probably some of my favorite pictures of the boys!

Eli got several games this year.

We got Eli the original Grinch book.  He's been big into the Grinch lately, although his reaction went something like this:  "That not the Grinch, that Dr. Seuss!"

Sweet boys playing with their toys in the middle of a Christmas mess!

One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day.  Don't clean it up too quickly.

Andy Rooney

Wesley pulled a Grandmama and had me going to look in other rooms of the house for my presents.

Love this pretty gift from Wesley.

After getting somewhat cleaned up and packed, we headed to Dothan for Christmas with the Pettys and Burgins.  Before we left we got a few Taff family pictures on the front porch.

 My sweet little family.

Aunt Katie is recovering from the flu, so we didn't get too close and gave fist bumps instead of hugs.

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.

Laura Ingalls Wilder