Celebrating Christmas!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS! We had a truly magical one.  Although I could probably make this two (maybe even three??) posts, I'm just going to put all these hundreds of pictures into one looooooooong one.  Get ready for lots of activity.  We were busy, busy little bees elves!

We started off on Saturday with our Atlanta Christmas (what I refer to as the "Copeland Christmas" since everyone originates from the Copeland sisters - our Gia and Aunt Wyllene) We got to spend time with the other Sassers, and the kiddos adored the playtime with cousin Addison.  Next Christmas we'll have another Sasser cousin when Baby Boy Sasser (theirs - not ours!!) joins the party in May!

The sister made a lovely brunch with casseroles, homemade sweet potatoes (recipe from their Williamsburg trip), honeybaked ham, biscuits, and a homemade chocolate pound cake.  Everyone ate very well.  We enjoyed catching up with everyone, including lots of college cousins who we only see this time of year.  Lots of family that we're very proud of.

Then presents.  The kids could hardly stand the wait. They got so many thoughtful things!  Maggie and Callah (my first grandchildren) have already made very good use of their new high chair.

We had a blast celebrating our first round of Christmas with this side of the fam!

We got home from Atlanta on Sunday to find Grammy and Gran Gran (plus Greycie, the poodle) at our house.  Cue lots of excitement from the kiddos.  We took everyone to see the light display at Tom Sawyers farm that night.  While everyone enjoyed it, Wesley absolutely adored it.  We did have to say "don't touch" a hundred times (and he complied about, oh, 10% of the time....)

 

That took us into Christmas Eve, which we spent cooking and prepping for Christmas Day. Our neighbors hosted their annual driveway party for friends and friends' houseguests, and the weather allowed lots of running and playing in the yard.  We enjoyed a really beautiful day!  That evening, we celebrated at church, remembering the reason we celebrate (and preparing our hearts and minds for Jesus - or "Jesus' birthday", as the kids reminded us).  JB sat in "big church" for the Christmas Eve service, and wow'ed everyone with his very enthusiastic singing of Away in a Manager. 

The children then proceeded to act like we've never taken a picture before... :) Even threats of "we will turn Santa away at the door" did nothing to detract from their silliness!

We got home, enjoyed a delicious pulled pork that had been cooking all day in a low-temp oven, opened gifts from Grammy and Gran Gran (sidenote: my parents never let us open gifts on Christmas Eve, but for the grandchildren...?) and prepared for Santa.  We said goodbye to Snowflake (writing letters for him), set out some cookies, tried our best to convince the kids to get to bed - but first, after several attempts at a group picture, yet again (Wesley was NOT having it!!)

Then, Christmas morning!!! The kids slept until 7AM (which is a rarity on "normal" days, much less a holiday), and we kept them corralled upstairs until all the adults were present in the living room. There is just something magical (for us) about watching the kids light up when they see their Santa gifts!  We got a good 10 minute video to forever capture the excitement. 

The adults got to open our gifts, too, and James spoiled me with PJs and a super fancy purse that I was totally not expecting.  I got him speakers and a vacuum sealer - practical things. :)

Ah, sibling love...

Gia arrived from Atlanta, and we had several other guests from around town who joined us for breakfast and/or lunch.  I love a full house on the holidays.

The meal went off without a hitch, and we ate according to schedule!  I have to pat myself on the back for all my prep work for the meal (while also thanking Mother profusely for all her help.)  James gets the credit for a delicious turkey AND ham.  The sisters sent up the chocolate pound cake, which tasted even better three days later. 

We played with gifts all day long, continued to open presents into the evening, face-timed with family who sent presents so they could see the excitement on the kids faces when they opened them, and had lots of smiles and laughs. 

We are so thankful for all the beautiful blessings from God: our Savior, our family, our friends - and a most wonderful Christmas and Christmas season.