(the Minecraft trio)
However, there were moments where we were able to pull them away from their gaming to have some holiday fun. We spent Christmas Eve Day making cookies both Great-grandma's awesome chocolate chip cookies and sugar cookies for decorating. Everyone had some fun decorating them. However, I think some of the cookies, especially Benny's, were more frosting than cookie!
(making Christmas cookies)
(my work of art)
While we were decorating cookies we had the extreme honor to have "Santa" call us on the telephone. I don't know how he had the time to take out of his busy schedule, but he talked to each kid. Evan and Ben were very impressed, and Evan was definitely a little wide-eyed.
(Jack talks to Santa while Ben observes.)
(Is it really you, Santa?)
Later on Christmas Eve, we ate a delicious meal of all variety of snacks and munchies, some of us got on their matching Christmas PJ's, and we all sat down to watch the Christmas movie, Elf. There's a moment at the end of the movie where everyone is singing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town". Our whole family joined in and it was the sweetest moment. After the movie, the kiddos were treated to some hot chocolate, a traditional reading of "The Night Before Christmas" from Grandma, and then they were off to bed.
(watching for Santa)
(cousins!)
(watching Elf and singing along)
(hot chocolate before bed)
(awwww)
(twas the night before Christmas)
When we all woke up in the morning, Santa had visited and the Christmas tree was very happy. We told the kids that they couldn't get up before 7am. However, I started to hear mutterings up there starting at about 6:15. The boys managed to make it till 7am, then we had to wake up Aunt Audra, Uncle Tommy, and Livi, and we were ready to see what was under the tree. We are a very lucky family to receive all of the wonderful gifts both from each other and Santa. The kiddos had a great time opening their stockings first. They were entranced by their new Jacob's Ladder toys, and of course, immediately wanted to assemble and eat all of their Pez!
(a happy tree Christmas morning)
(yay, stocking stuffers)
(Evan examines his Jacob's ladder)
(Grandpa, aka Grinch, surveys the scene)
(more stocking goodies)
Then, we all opened our goodies from under the tree. The boys were thrilled with all of their gifts, especially their two new robots Zoomer and MIP. They had fun trying to figure out how MIP and Zoomer worked and made them dance and bark and play for the rest of the day. Evan especially liked to turn on MIP's music function and have a dance party with him in the middle of the floor. They also enjoyed their Plants vs. Zombies books and stuffed animals and had to read the books immediately. They also had fun playing Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em Robots. Jack got a cool new bow and arrow which they tried out later in the day. I think Miss Livi had the most volume under the tree and she had a great time wandering around the house the rest of the day dressed as Doc McStuffins.
(the boys and their new robot buddies)
(preparing the Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots)
(Does anyone need a Doc McStuffins?)
(Warriors ready for action!)
It was a wonderful Christmas filled with fun, food, and family, and the next day was no different. The day after Christmas we made our way down to the San Antonio Riverwalk which Audra and I had been wanting to check out for years. We took everyone on a boat ride on the river and then just wandered around checking out the lights that hung from all of the trees and were draped across the river. It was beautiful! The kids were a bit tired by the end of the night, but they managed to save enough energy to do a little parkour (scaring some of the grown ups) and pose in front of the lights. Oh, and the weather was so nice that we didn't even have to wear a coat!
(my boys explore the Riverwalk)
(happy Mhire family)
(love these kiddos)
(family on a boat)
(the warriors are back)
(sisters!)
The next day, unfortunately the Mhire family had to go home. There were lots of sad cousins and sad grown ups too. I'm so glad that the kids get along so well, and I know we're all looking forward to the next chance to get together!
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