This year was our first Christmas at our house and with a family of four. We decided not to go to AL which was a tough decision for us but we wanted to make memories of our own and for the boys to celebrate Christmas morning at their house. As much as we missed spending that day with our family, we really enjoyed our day at home.Once we finally got Charlie to go to sleep Christmas Eve, we began putting all of their presents out under the tree. I had wrapped a few of them but we left the big ones unwrapped. I got tickled at Daniel as he had to have the presentation just right. He remembers as a child that his gifts were always set in some kind of scene. I don't remember waking up with gifts under the tree as my family spent Christmases in TN at my grandparents' house. The Christmases I remember were after I knew the truth of Santa so our presents were all wrapped and were usually opened the night before we left for TN. So this Christmas Eve was a new experience for me and boy did Daniel and I have fun.
We tried to position toys so that when Charlie woke up, he wouldn't automatically see them and go running into the family room without us. He always comes to our room and wakes me up when he gets up. Luckily, Christmas morning was no exception. He climbed into bed with us for a little bit and then wanted to go eat breakfast. We woke Daddy up and while Charlie took a pit stop at the potty and I changed clothes, Daniel went in, turned on the tree and grabbed the camera. I woke Philip up and off we went into the family room. Here is the reaction...
Charlie had a blast opening gifts and we had a blast watching him! Philip was oblivious to the whole day but what else would you expect from a 4 month old? He did, however, get to open gifts just as Charlie did. The big gifts of the day were a big wheel and an activity gym... 
Mr. Terry and Ms. Kathy came to visit for a little while. They got to play many games of Uno Moo with Charlie...
Pics from Christmas morning... Our afternoon was spent playing in the snow (that will be another post) and making/decorating cookies...once we got Charlie away from the toys...
We had a big dinner then played some more. Charlie got to play with his new tub toy and then it was like pulling teeth to get him to go to bed. What a great Christmas we had!
I was thinking back on the day and am so thankful for the many blessings God has given us. Daniel is employed. I am lucky to get to stay home with the boys each day. We are able to spend money on our boys. We have a roof over our heads and have a pantry/fridge full of food. We are truly blessed in this world. But, most importantly we have a God who loves us and provides for us as well as a Savior who died for all of us. That was the ultimate gift.
As much as I don't want to jinx it, Charlie has been doing much better with potty training lately. Last Tuesday and Wednesday, Charlie used the potty at school! Hallelujah! This has been an ongoing battle. Also, he's doing better with going poo poo in the potty. He has gotten his football guys back, his cards back and his little blocks back...all in the last week!
Charlie was most difinitely spoiled by Papa while we were there. He got to spend a whole day just the two of them on Monday of that week. Charlie was excited because he got to ride in a different car seat in Papa's truck. I don't really know where all they went but I heard something about Uncle Jimmy's farm, breakfast at Hardee's, lunch with Gram, and I'm sure that's isn't everywhere they went! I (well, Philip and I) spent that day in Dothan shopping and Daniel spent the day with his high school buds. A couple other mornings Charlie went on adventures with Papa too. 
Thanksgiving night was spent at Daniel's Uncle Jimmy's barn for dinner. That is always some good eatin! It is all of Daniel's extended family on his mom's side that get together. The Thanksgiving meal with my family was eaten on Saturday. My sister had to work on Friday and we try not to do two meals in one day on Thursday so that's just how it worked out.
Philip eats and sleeps like a champ. You can tell he's eating well just by looking at him. And, yes, it's still just mama's milk. Naps during the day are getting longer and we're down to two, sometimes three, naps a day and he'll sleep for about 8 hours at night.
