Christmas in weeks

Christmas isn't a season here in our house, its weeks of anticipation and excitement.  There are countdowns, traditions and time spent with loved ones.  This year was no exception.  The kids went to the mall to see Santa, he is so life like and awesome with the kids.  Brady runs to see him, with his list all ready to hand over, Garrett the always cautious one slowly walks up and stands next to him.  Finally this is the year he decides to be brave and sit on his lap.  Jillian however wants nothing to do with him so we have one picture of her scared to death with the boys on his lap!  So classic really of our families personalities. 

    
     We not only were waiting for Santa's arrival but also my parents who were coming to stay with us for two weeks!  Yahoo!  The kids were super excited, they love when family comes to visit.  My dad had previously gone hunting for a month before he came to visit us and brought with him a bright orange hunting hat for Brady.  That first night they came when we went to check on him this is what we found....

 

 I made my parents come see and took a picture it was so cute and adorable.

Christmas day came and the kids were so excited we had to keep them in our room for a bit and didn't want my parents to get woken up to early.  But by 6:30-7:00 we couldn't keep them away from all the gifts any longer.  They had such a good time opening gifts!  Jillian of course didn't know exactly what was going on but she love the wrapping paper and walking around from person to person.  I am not the greatest at capturing the opening of gifts because there is to much going on at the same time.  But I did manage to get a couple of shots....

 It was a SkyLanders Christmas, they have been wanting the video game forever!  And Santa got them the game while family members got them the figurines that go with them.  They are happy as you can clearly see. 

 

 

 

The did however get another surprise gift a BB gun.  My dad really wanted to get them one, I was talked into it, but only if there is strict supervision. 

More on this to come later....

Jillian however was given a stuffed PennState bear and blanket from my parents, as you can see she really likes it.  Wouldn't let it go!

 And don't judge the women in this picture we were sleep deprived and have just rolled out of bed, pretty sure I didn't even brush my hair until much later that morning! 

One fun thing Brad got me was a new camera, I had always been saying I wanted a new one that could take pictures faster.  The camera we have now is great but its 7 years old and there are many new upgrades with camera's these days.  So now maybe my pictures will be better?   Its given me a new goal to learn to take better pictures! 

Later that day we had a great feast!  My mom was a huge help in the kitchen as always, and I would have to say that Christmas day was a true success! 

First shot with the new camera.....looking good mom!