I saw three schmitts come sailing in…

on Christmas day in the morning.

we made an attempt to read Luke 2 and act out the Christmas Story with the nativity set like we have the past couple years.

it flopped mostly because bill read it from his iphone and all the girls were concerned with was the phone. it also may have flopped because they were super tired as evidenced by claire’s blank stare.

we tried to keep with each kid taking turns to open gifts. it worked for the most part.

showing off their new purses. in the purses they have lipstick, cell phone, hand mirror, keys, wallet with credit card.

  

claire was pumped about her candy from her stocking. one of the best gifts.

charlie digging into his stocking.

when ornament shopping this year I found these climbers. I would normally like to get the girls different ornaments, but this past year they both have climbed like crazy so that is what I went with.

 

charlie gets a skier dude.

bill was pumped to find aveda tea and his special floss (fancy – I know!) in his stocking.

the biggest hit – new water cups for the kids.

C opening up a book about New Zealand.

 

the girls got tutus. they were sort of tutued out after Christmas Eve so they weren’t a huge hit.

 

this, however, was a huge hit. FINN MCMISSLE with shooting rockets!

 

ellie opening her big big. she was totally unimpressed. classic. it was a little toy laptop. it actually ended breaking the same day so I returned it.

 

I love her lack of facial expression when it comes to opening gifts. its like she keeps her initial feelings hidden. I love you eleanore.

claire was pumped about her cash register.

a bit more interested.

claire’s pile.

eleanore’s pile – with her taking the laptop – maybe she does like it.

charlie’s haul.

bill showing charlie how to drive Finn and ideally not run into my ankles.

 

working the coins.

claire thought the stockings looked like perfect sock to try on.

ellie thought she would give it a try too.

this is what the kids did most of the day – cough.

bubba and pappy came down after naps and we didn’t snap one picture!

what a very, merry christmas we had celebrating with our family and rejoicing in our Savior’s birth!

Silent Night (well, sort of)

Christmas Eve was wonderful! We woke up at Bubba & Pappy’s house (nana and g.pops left super early to drive to MT) and were racy (lazy). dotes & elliot stayed over too so it was a pj sort of morning.

still sleepy kindercare and bubba.

ellie and pappy.

jollifying is what pappy does best.

opening a little gifty before the real action started.

a photo album of dotes & elliot’s wedding.

charlie was very eager to dig in.

mmm-monkey bread.

 

ready for PRESENTS!

claire’s big big.

pappy helping ellie with her big big (doll strollers)

ellie’s unimpressed look again. that girl has some amazing skills to be able to hold a serious face at Christmas.

giddy.

paul was hysterical. he was so pumped and was jumping and running back and forth.

Bubba opening her “Employee of the Year 2012” special ornament. It takes a lot of hard work to become the Employee of the Year and Bubba puts in the time.

charlie painted a few things for pappy. but don’t worry – he also got Frasier fir soap.

charlie opening a crazy monster truck from uncle pete and aunt margit.

claire be ree sad.

the aunties gave the girls a dress up box with tutus, magic wands, necklaces, gloves, and more.

margit showing claire the diamond ring.

she put it on claire and she loved it.

then ellie’s gloves went on.

and they didn’t come off. she continued to play and pick up (or at least attempt to) things all morning. it was hysterical.

bubba got the girls a mirror to admire their dress up looks in.

claire sitting on her custom made stool. they were built by pete and painted beautifully by margit. such talent! we LOVE them!

 

oh and margit also made us these mini mugs.

more of ellie with the gloves. driving the truck is my favorite.

 

bill so happy with his new goggles.

eleanore stunned by bill’s goggles.

claire wanted a turn.

meanwhile, eleanore sat in the stroller wearing charlie’s packer hat and looking at charlie’s book.

 

claire decided to just perch herself on the arm of the chair and check things out.

we put the kids down for naps and when they woke up we headed to Edina for Christmas Eve at Bill’s aunt ruth & uncle pete’s house. ellie started playing right away.

 

claire chose to take down the nativity and arrange it on the floor.

claire saying thank you to ruth for her gifty.

I said “claire – what did you get?” and she instantly whipped it around. such a classic “show what you got” shot.

ellie seems to be happy with her gifty.

at this point in the evening charlie was really getting sick. he had developed a nasty cough and his throat was so sore and dry he wasn’t really talking. just nodding up and down. he was excited about his car, but couldn’t quite express it.

dinner time was early for the girls.

everyone lined up for the gift opening!

pete and margit.

me and dotesy

UB pumped about his jacket.

ladies.

so much fun is had during these gift openings. lots of laughter!

when ruthie started rubbing everyone's shoulders we knew it was late and we need to pack up and head home.

we packed up the girls and charlie (we put them to bed there at 730) and drove home. normally, the kids fall back asleep – not this time. they were awake for the entire drive home and then upon getting home the girls were up for a long, long time. I think they thought it was morning. they finally fell asleep around 2am so we didn’t really have a very silent night. but what a wonderful day and night we had celebrating Christ’s birth with family.