Two posts in one day...lots of pictures...scroll down!

Here are some pictures of Sunday morning, a CUTE sweater outfit on Alisa (thanks, Grandma!) and Christmas morning.

The Seaman's always order Olive Garden Christmas Eve, and I really like that tradition because there is no prep and little clean-up. We listened to Candlelight Carol sung by the MoTab. Though in years past it has been accompanied by tender moments of reflection, this year was not. Jake couldn't stop talking about the candles and the fire and smelling them and the smoke and don't touch them, etc. I loved it! I know there are special times to be reverent, but I loved how excited he was over something as simple as candles on the table. He loves the dark anyway and is always turning off all the lights in the house to play "ooga-booga" (chase in the dark) and he was eating it up! So, I am pretty sure the kids are putting a new twist on an old tradition! 

After the kids were in bed with humidifiers blasting, we watched The Nativity Story, which was excellent! It was very realistic and really left me with a feeling of awe for Mary and Joseph and the conditions/time in which the Savior of the world was born. It is amazing. I was really grateful for the time to reflect on His birth. I always seem to get caught up in the lights and twinkles and even the fun music of Christmas (all good things) and remember the birth of Christ as an afterthought. It was a great movie. We decided it would be irresponsible to sleep two stories down from our kids as they had been getting up every night, so Bethi and Kelsi opted to sleep upstairs on the loft floor so we were all kind of together. I love that tradition...everyone sleeping in the same room. I don't remember exactly when it started growing up, but I'm glad the Seaman's do it, too. It's a fun bonding time. 

Alisa woke up early, as usual. I fed her and then left her with Scott while I slept another half hour. When I came out, everyone except Jake was awake and waiting there in the loft. We waited a while for Jake, who finally appeared just before 9 am. He was sick, so we held off waking him up for awhile. We opened stockings and presents. The Seaman's open youngest to oldest, too, so I was after Scott! :) We got a beautiful iMac computer from Les, Linda, Mom, and Dad and ourselves. It is great so far...Jake loved his Ratatouille figures and played for at least an hour straight with them. Simple pleasures. Around noon we made scrambled eggs with turkey bacon and orange juice and some pastry loaves. We lounged in our pajamas a few more hours. We all played the Wii that Linda got Les...it was a great day! 
Waiting for Jake to wake up Christmas morning...we finally woke him up at 8:45 or so...

Ali, Kelsi, Grandpa, Alisa

Grandma, Bethi

Sleepy Jake

Jake will ONLY hold mama when he's sick! Oh, joy!

Jake opening presents...yea for Christmas!