christmas | part two

Christmas morning at home. I don't even know how long I have been dreaming of this very thing. A morning in our own house, where our girls wake up to a pile of presents under the tree. Where we gather in our jammies, hot coffee for Ryan and me, and open new toys without the fear of losing important pieces in someone else's home. It is such a simple thing and it definitely was my most favorite part of the holiday this year.

Of course, such perfect dreams always come with some hiccups. Laci was too cranky to open presents when she first woke up. So, I started breakfast for the family that would be joining us, and distracted Mia from the gifts under the tree with breakfast sausages.

Grammy tried her best to talk Laci into a better mood.

I even let her open one present before breakfast, a special gift for puppy Rose.

It produced a suppressed smile. You can just barely see it in the corners of her mouth.

I spent two hours in the kitchen that morning making biscuits, sausage, gravy, and fried bread dough. It all turned out pretty good and I made notes for next year - MORE gravy! Laci eventually snapped out of her bad mood, just in time for Mia to show what happens when she doesn't get enough sleep and is completely overstimulated.

We distracted her with some new toys, but you can still see the tears on her cheeks. She went to bed shortly after this for a very early morning nap.

We were all full, tired, and grateful after the morning's festivities, but we managed to pull it together again for Christmas dinner with Ryan's family.

A few more pictures with the girls in front of the tree. Some were successful.

Others, not so much.

We snuck in a few more minutes of playing before heading out the door again.

Laci and Mia both enjoy spending time with family so much. Each aunt, uncle, cousin, and grandparent brings a unique, something special into their lives, and we are grateful to have so many loving people around us.

This has been a very special holiday season in my heart. I have enjoyed being in our own home and I really loved seeing Laci "get" the holiday, asking questions and getting beyond excited about the magic of it all.

It was truly a Merry Christmas.