Christmas Day

Christmas Day is spent in our pajamas at Mimi & Grandpa's house, with Uncle Mike & Aunt Honey and also my Mom's brother, Uncle Delmer.

My Mom makes the traditional "Biscuits & Snausages" for breakfast, which we wait all year for!!!

Then we open gifts, watch movies, and eat all day long!!!! It's greatness!!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Christmas Morning... we wait all year for this!!!

Christmas morning was once again a magical time in the Reagan house!! Reilly woke up excited and ready to see what Santa had brought. Avery, on the other hand, was sleepy and fussy... only because she didn't know what was waiting for her in the dining room!!!

When Joey & I were all ready with the cameras, we gave them the go-ahead... and Reilly ran into the dining room, while Avery lagged behind a bit. Reilly found his special gifts from Santa straight away... a table-top air hockey table and an Iron Man bank. He was thrilled!!!! Avery found a princess couch and a dollhouse!!! She loved them both, and knew exactly what she was supposed to do with both of them!

I actually anticipate seeing that "Christmas Morning Face" all year long! There is nothing else quite like it... Avery is still too young, but seeing Reilly revel in the magic of those moments, when all his wishes come true right before his eyes, makes me so incredibly happy! (And sentimental, for my own childhood when my parents made every Christmas so magical. Those are some of the best memories I have.)

Then, the excitement continues as everyone directs their attention to their stockings! They loved all the fun little toys, books and candy that Santa left for them!!!

Daddy was excited to open his ratcheting wrench and Six Flags: Holiday In The Park tickets!! (He's been wanting to go for years!! And, he tends to appreciate experiences more than "things".)

Mommy opened my gifts last... some pretty smelling lotions, and a trip to BRECKENRIDGE, COLORADO in February !!!! Joey planned another trip for the two of us, and totally surprised me! He had it written inside a snow globe, just like he did last year with the New York City trip. If this is becoming a Christmas tradition, I am SO in !!!!

Then, it was on to Mimi & Grandpa's house for some breakfast and more festivities!!!

Christmas Eve

This next picture cracks me up, for so many reasons...


Christmas Eve with The Reagans

Christmas Eve began with yummy pancakes from IHOP, then we headed to Nana & Granddad's house for the day. We begin with the traditional fajita lunch and then there was the reading of the story of Jesus' birth, which was read mostly by our Reilly Bear this year!!! He did a fantastic job!! Then, it was gift time! We loved watching everyone open the gifts we picked especially for them! It's wonderful isn't it, when you pick just the right gift... and their face just lights up!!!

The kids had a blast! Then, Avery got a little nap in before we went to the Christmas Eve Candelight Service. We were a little nervous about how Avery would do, but she was dumbfounded actually. She sat so still and watched everything in awe. The kids both loved the music, and the lovely candlelight. It was a wonderful way to celebrate our Savior.

After the service, we headed back to Nana & Granddad's for the most special peanut butter cookies, and watched Home Alone. Not my first choice of movie, since I hate the way the children speak to each other, but it is a classic. Reilly loved all the wild antics, and giggled uncontrollably.

Then, we packed up all the boxes and boxes of new stuff and headed home to get ready for Santa's arrival!!!


Avery & Reilly got to open one gift each on Christmas Eve, just before bed. Reilly's was his very own coffee mug, the one that he saw the last time we were at Starbuck's. (Yes, we do frequent Starbucks, but not for the coffee. Reilly and I LOVE the pumpkin bread and organic Vanilla milk!!) He was thrilled! Avery got a stuffed monkey of her very own! She absconded with Reilly's weeks ago, and he'd really like to have his back!!

Then after setting out cookies & milk for Santa- it was straight to bed, since Santa was on his way!!!

And Joey made me open one gift as well. He ordered some special cookies from Hawaii for me, the ones we ate every day while we were there!!! Even though I already know this about him, his thoughtfulness still shocks me!!!

Then Mommy & Daddy got to work getting ready for Christmas Morning, which included wrapping presents and baking. I finally got to use my new mixer for the first time, to make my very first cheesecake. Which turned out pretty great, to my surprise! (pictures to follow!) Stay tuned for Christmas Morning!!!

The Lights on Main Street

We took the kids to see the lights on Main Street in Grapevine last weekend, and it was so pretty! The lights in the gazebo were set to Christmas music, and the dancing was contagious!! Since Avery absolutely LOVES Christmas lights, she was wide-eyed and dreamy. So sweet.

Reilly wanted to show off some of his rad dance moves in the gazebo, but got really upset that everyone was having so much fun and not thinking about Jesus, and he wanted to set them all straight. He said, "Christmas is about Jesus, not about having fun!!!!" And we had to explain to him, that yes it is all about Jesus, but it CAN and should be about fun too! It is a celebration, after all!!! He was able to loosen up a bit after that. (He's really very serious.)

We're planning to head back there again this week, since we didn't get to see everything. Plus, it's just the kind of place we want to be at Christmastime.

Our sweet little elves...

4 Days and Counting!!! Hope your Christmas is Magical too!!!

Grandma's Christmas Candy

Here are Wanda & Lana trying to get the temperature just right for the Marshmallow Fudge...






















So, the Reagan ladies got together to try to recreate some of Joey's Grandma's recipes for Christmas Candy. We tried, but without much to go on. It seems that no one had actually seen Grandma make these recipes, and the 3 of us seriously struggled -



especially with the divinity recipe that Grandma could manage effortlessly all by herself. That Grandma was an extraordinary woman, and it was nice to get together to remember her- and her delicious confections... Even if we couldn't get them to come out just right. Well, if at first you don't succeed...

"A Night of Holiday Magic"

The first weekend of December was our town's Christmas Festival! We try to go every year, because it's just a fun, festive way to begin the Holiday Season! It was actually Avery's first time to go, but Reilly is an old pro. He loves the Kettle Corn and funnel cakes, and hot chocolate. This year he was most excited to try sledding down a REAL snow hill !!!

And MY! Was it COLD!!! We didn't last too awfully long out there, it really was frigid!! We did see Santa and Mrs. Claus, and then we were done. Our poor babies were beginning to turn blue, so we called it a night. of holiday magic, that is. ;)

Let it Begin!! Happy Holidays Everyone !!!!