We spent Christmas Eve with my side of the family, as usual. This year we decided to go to the 2pm church service because of the kids napping schedules. It felt strange to go to the candlelight service in broad daylight, but it was nice to get back home and have plenty of time to eat dinner and open presents. Lane (and Kyle) took a nice nap after church and were ready for the fun when they woke up!
We took our family pictures before church.
The Armstrongs!
A cute pic of Mums and Evin! Lane wasn't cooperating, so he skipped out on his pic with Mums.
Handsome guy!
Looking good in his new cowboy boots! An early Christmas present from Mommy and Daddy.
Evin looked adorable in the smocked Santa dress that Kyle's mom bought her before she was born.
Of course, we tried for a cousin picture. Of course, we didn't really get a decent one. Lane insisted on having his instruments in the photo and when we tried to take them away there was a meltdown.
Evin on the jingle bells, Lane on the piano and recorder!
Sad boy with no instruments...
He cheered right up when Mums let him open one of his presents. A new WOW toy!
We have had a yearly tradition of eating homemade soup on Christmas Eve, and this year mom made my favorite creamy chicken and vegetable noodle soup from Trisha Yearwood's cookbook. We all ate dinner and got into our jammies to open presents.
Even baby Ellis got some gifts!
Scout and her mama
Lane was definitely into opening gifts this year. He would open one so fast and then be ready to move on to the next one. Then he would decide he wanted a toy opened to play with and take a break. He even helped Evin open some of her presents.
Lane gave his silhouette picture to Mums for Christmas.
A new puzzle!
Evin was excited to see all of her new toys!
Mums gave Lane a Playmobil farm
We had to work hard to get any smiling pictures of Lane and most were quick, forced smiles! Too much other excitement!
We gave Evin some new baby Toms!
Another super enthusiastic smile from Lane!
This was Evin's favorite toy of the night! A new rocking giraffe!
After we opened gifts, Daddy put together some of Lane's toys. He was very excited to play and it was hard getting him to bed!
Right before bed, Lane went out to leave some carrots for the reindeer. Mums helped him throw them on the roof!
And of course, we left out the cookies that Lane helped make for Santa.
Rather than milk, Lane decided to leave a bottle of Propel for Santa. I guess he thought St. Nick could use some H2o with his cookies!
Finley kept guard on the cookies until bedtime!
We all finally got to bed so Santa could drop off some Christmas morning presents! Was Lane on his nice list this year???
