Christmas Eve- WHAT a day!

After we put Korben to bed on Wednesday night (Christmas Eve Eve), we opened gifts as a family. It is easier to do our personal gifts without him awake, that way we can take our time opening one gift at a time, and make it last. This has been the second Christmas without my dad. It has already become our tradition before we open gifts to spend some family time in prayer. You know how every dad has their "chair"? Well, we circled around my dad's chair, lit a candle next to his picture, and all spent some time thanking God for him. It was wonderful to hear each other's hearts. We all shed some tears together, and I believe that was really healthy for us. Word can not express how much we miss Dad, however, we are all so grateful that we will see him again.
Thank you, Jesus, for the hope we have in you and only you.



Here are all of my Dad's girls (after we cleaned up our runny mascara).
























Christmas Eve morning we were able to give Korben 100% of our attention, because it was all about him and his Christmas gifts! Here he is opening his huge dump truck from his Aunt Kim!








































He couldn't wait to put on his new Elmo slippers. There is something precious about this side profile of Korben in this picture. There will be one day that it won't be cool to wear tight pajamas, and I'm positive that the "diaper booty" won't be adorable forever. But for now, this little profile of my toddler, is the sweetest thing on earth.


























CC got him more Baby Einstein movies. His favorite! This boy loves movies!


























Giving CC a "thank you kiss" while sporting his new Cookie Monster hoodie.



























His soul was made complete when he received these drums from my mom. Korben was born to be a drummer. He has rhythm that is not normal for a baby, I do not think. When our clothes dryer is making that banging noise that all dryers make, Korben will run in the laundry room and start dancing to the sound. He has a toy train that his Aunt MeeMee gave him for Christmas. His favorite thing about it is the button that makes the "Chuga Chuga Chuga" sound. Why, you ask? Because it is the perfect sound for dancing! I will post a video of my rhythmically advanced little boy soon!




























This was seriously the most fun day. We had tons of new stuff to play with, and had a Christmas party with all of our cousins to look forward to that night. We were supposed to be at our cousin's house for our family Christmas party at 4:30, and Korben needed to work in a 2 hour nap before we left for their house at 4:00. One second it was 8 a.m., the next second it was 1:30, and I hadn't even thought about putting him down for a nap because we were having so much fun with our new stuff! I love days like that. It all worked out though, he got a great nap and was raring to go play with his cousins by 4!


























We had to do a picture at the piano to compare his growth with last year.
























Last Christmas







































Family picture before nap time!























Awake from his nap, dressed and ready to go to his cousin's Christmas party. I promise you, it was completely Korben's idea to wear his new hard hat and vest. He took it very seriously.





























Christmas party time! We had to take a picture of ourselves...not for lack of people to take the picture, it is just sort of our trademark shot! Haha!






























Korben and his hero, Carson.






























Priceless memories with the best cousins in the whole world. They are screaming at the top of their lungs, having the time of their lives. (will post video soon)








































Kim pointed out to me that if we wanted a preview at what Korben will look like in a few years when he sings in his first preschool choir performance at church...here it is!





























God, bless these sweet little boys. Please let them grow up to love you and each other!




















We couldn't have had a more ideal Christmas Eve with our family. We are so blessed, and I refuse to take a moment of it for granted!