Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: Christmas Bliss

This year may have been one of the skimpiest Christmas for us as far as gifts go - and I know were not the only family to be feeling the same.

However, being as skimpy as it was, honestly I think this one has been the best in many. Mike was able to be home with no obligations of work or to be working at all that day which allowed for his mind and focus to be where it should be.

It was so nice to finally have him home and dedicated to Madaya and I as to what and when we would be doing things.

Christmas Morning started out so wonderful.

Madaya woke us up at 7 totally unaware of what would be under the tree - she hadn't seen anything but gifts for neices/nephews and those were few at that.

So we light the tree, got her stocking set up, and I readied the camera... eventually we all move out to the front room where she says " wow - PRIZE! " like SUPRISE! " she took it all in for a minute and then we allowed her to open her small gift ( an ornament from grandpa Steve and grandma Lisa )

Then move on to her stocking.

The stocking is 3.5' tall and is bigger than her.

She had so much fun digging through it and finding all her things. After that we sat as she opened her 5 other gifts : Mp3 player and headphones, Candy land Castle game, and Dress Up station, Candy Land board game, and a small elmo and abby caddaby 4" beanie buddies. She loved all of them and started to play with them all right away.

Grandpa and Lacey ( his dog ) had spent the night - and were waiting to give her their gift untill aunt kandis, uncle ryan and the kids could get here ( around 10:30 ) This allowed us some time to enjoy her gifts, and make breakfast. Mikes family tradition he passed to us is " pigs in a blanket " which are maple sausages wrapped in biscuts and baked .. oh sooo yummmy.

After breakfast and some time for play, Kandis, Ryan and the kids came over and we did presents with grandpa... Roo received a ELMO live - as most of you know shes a ELMO fanatic. You can only imagine how that went over pure delight. Nathan and Vicky made out very well too. Grandpa's face was all light up and he enjoyed playing and watching the kids enjoy their gifts.

We had a couple of hours here with them all and then we headed over to Aunt Dee's for the family get together.

We had a great time eating, talking and opening gifts at Dee's. We had chosen to do a potluck style dinnner and everyones food was so yummy from sweetnsour meat balls to home made apple pie! yummers! It turned out wonderful, and easy. It was a long day and we were all tired with in a few hours especially the kids. Mike and I didnt do gifts ok as usual, but the kids all received gifts from the adults.

It was fun to watch them open all their stuff, and they all loved everything. The adults who did the gift exchange seemed to love and enjoy all their gifts.

Roo received : A giraffe ride/sit on from Auntie Bree and Uncle Curt, Elmo slippers, craft items, floor coloring matt and princess stickers from Aunt Ann, A black and pink velour outfit from Aunt Dee, a beta and tank from Aunt Kandis, Uncle Ryan and kids, and a flip out sofa chair from grammy. Everything is so loved and she hasnt really put anything down yet! Madaya made plates for everyone with handprint christmas trees on them, and I filled them up with homemade goodies :) It was nice to be able to share something from the heart with everyone.

It was nice to not have the focus on gifts and be able to think and realize just what the season means to us as a family and how lucky we are to have what we do have and realize that in itself. Theres a reason for this season and I think many people forget what it is! or rather WHO it is!

Mike and I filled a basket for our neighbor thats going through a very hard time and her 2 kids with foods for a complete meal, and some gifts for each of the kids.

We left this infront of her door very early in the morning so they wouldnt know who --- but we know they got them. Its so nice to be able to do something like that and I really enjoy doing it. It helps to remember that no matter how bad things are for us, someone has it worse.

And to be thankful! Merry CHRISTmas everyone and we hope you all enjoyed yours as much as we enjoyed ours!

From the Pemberton-Evans home to yours, Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

A rare pic... us 3.