Christmas Day 2014

A box of goodies that someone left at our doorstep

After a delicious Christmas Eve dinner with my parents and Stratty and Lynnsi, Dallas and I headed home for a nice, quiet evening with just ourselves. Within a few minutes of being home, somewhere around 11:30, our doorbell rang. We were both surprised and just kind of looked at each other for a minute. Dallas finally went to check the door. I don't think either of us expected anything special...but when Dallas opened the door, there was a HUGE box full of yummy treats! Wow! It quadrupled (at least!) whatever food and treats we already had. We were super excited! I remember someone leaving my family gifts when I was little and I loved it! Back then, I could see somebody giving us gifts - we were a big family without a lot of money. But now, I would have never imagined someone would do this for us. It was super sweet. I was touched that somebody was so thoughtful and it again reminded me that I want to be that kind of person. We don't know who it was...we have our guesses...but whoever it was, we are super grateful. :) 

Me with all the goodies plus some from our stockings

The next morning Dallas and I got to take our time waking up. Of course, I had snuck out of bed super early (about 5:00) and taken care of the rest of the "Santa" things. This was my first time that Santa was completely up to me and Dallas. I've always been with family and although I've helped out as an "elf", I've never been in charge of making sure things happen. Dallas and I had both gotten gifts for each other and I told Dallas I would be in charge of stockings. After filling them up, I took some pictures as you will see. It was fun sneaking out of bed and filling stockings and coming back, knowing that when we woke up, there would be a wonderland of yummy treats and special gifts. 

A close-up of the stockings and other Santa stuff

In case you didn't notice, baby also got a stocking :)

Dallas was as enthusiastic and adorable as a little boy on Christmas morning. When we finally decided to wake up, Dallas looked at me and asked, "Do you think Santa came?!" We then hustled out of our bedroom and Dallas was super impressed. I love that he gets excited about little things. I almost forgot! Not only did we wake up and see Santa had come, but also a full sheet of snow! It was a real, true White Christmas. There had not been a lick of snow the day before but now everything was covered in white and it was still coming down! We had planned to visit family during the day, but because of the snow we spent most of the day with just each other. We opened gifts, called family, Dallas played his violin (after he called his family - I think calling home always reminds him he should be practicing his violin :), I gave Dallas a super short haircut while he watched Star Wars, we played some of our new games and ate some of our delicious treats, and...I don't remember what else, but it was a wonderful day. Ah! We also learned that both our moms know us very well. I had been looking for headphones for Dallas but hadn't found any, so he got an "IOU" gift from me. Before he opened my "IOU" gift, he opened a present from his mom and it had headphones - exactly what he'd been wanting! As for me, Dallas had been looking all over for a soft, fluffy, and super warm robe, but no luck. Later on, we went to my mom's house and voila! She had exactly the robe I had been wanting - red, fluffy, and super warm. So, our moms saved us both.

Dallas drinking chocolate milk that was in our doorstep box :)

Dallas with some of baby's most important, or at least biggest, gifts

Dallas with an adorable hedgehog piggybank from his sister Chelsy to baby

Dallas with his new headphones

Dallas playing his violin with his super short haircut

Later that evening we visited Stratty and Lynnsi and played some games and afterward we enjoyed a yummy dinner with Becky and her family and my parents. As I think about it...I realize we had a very easy, low-key, enjoyable Christmas. I really loved it...but I don't expect future Christmas' to be this calm...especially since we are going to have a ba-jillion kids. :)