Christmastime Was Here

 Every year we spend Christmas Eve at Aunt Karen's house with Ben's family

Turrill Boys

The traditional reading of the Christmas Story by candlelight

Then singing "Away in a Manger" with Angie Talle at the piano

PRESENTS!

For Bode from Aunt Karen, zoo volunteer extraordinaire! 

Then we got home to put two sleeping kids in their beds and get ready for the magic morning.

Then it was Christmas morning!!!!!

Look at how sleepy Bode is!! Well, he did wake up at 4:45. ARGH!

Holding their favorite presents left out from Santa!

(Again, SUCH sleepy faces! You would've thought we were the ones who woke them up! ;)

(if you can't tell, the pony was a big hit!!!!)

...and the dog that walks and barks from Bode to Mimi! 

She just kept going over to him throughout the morning and saying, 

"thanks Bode for my dog!" So sweet xox

(look at these feet...)

Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Rolls:

Then BT, Aunt Kate and Uncle Drew came over!

They got Mimi a puppet theater for the basement! 

This is Ben's face showing how he feels to have yet another reason to hang out in the basement!!!!

Opening wine glasses (not drinking wine :)

Then it was time for the big reveal...Mimi's BIKE from BT and Oma (can you say lucky!?)

(mimi is behind my shoulder while I'm posting these and she just said, "that's me with my helmet on. I look wierd." )

Her greatest hope has been to have a bike with a basket in front so she could ride around with her dogs. Bingo!

Hanging out in the basement, just as Ben predicted. Our favorite place in the house. NOT!

Mimi's pony, ready for the puppet show!

Spending time with these kids is my best Christmas present ever. 

 Then it was off to Nana and Rodger's for dinner!

I don't think I took too many pictures because we were having too much fun :)

Here's Nan and Bode:

Mimi and Daddy, ready to open MORE presents. Holy moly we are spoiled.

Gaber Baber was there too!

Mimi got something off her Christmas wish list: Rapunzel hair!!

...AND the dress!!!

A Christmas highlight for sure!

Nan and Rodger with their P.J. pants:

I can see why I put this post off for so long! We had SOO much fun and SOOOO many pictures! It was a special Christmas with our family.