Christmas Day

This year, we spent our first Christmas in Raleigh! It was strange to not be in Moscow with family but fun nonetheless!  The kids slept in and we finally woke them up around 8:30.  They couldn't wait to get downstairs to see if Santa came.  We spent the whole day relaxing in our pajamas and enjoying the day.  After lots of fun, we played, and had a ham dinner.  The Arwoods came over after dinner and we exchanged gifts with them.  All in all a success!!!

EXCITEMENT!

Sammy trying to figure things out

Figuring out its not just about the wrapping paper...

or is it???

 

 

Her own Hello Kitty hair dryer, a bigger hit than we thought it would be

Testing out the "crasher" track

Trying out the new hair dryer

Christmas Eve

We decorated sugar cookies and set them out for Santa.  The kids were excited to see if they would be eaten by the morning.  We tracked Santa through NORAD and went to bed ready for the morning! 

Sam enjoyed the sprinkles by the spoonful

Hard to get them to sit still for a picture

Thomas proud that he got to carry the glass of milk across the room. 

Sam was not cooperative

Santa visits Stancil

Dave's company invited all the kids to come decorate cookies and while we were there, Santa came!  Each kid got to sit on his lap and he gave everyone a small gift.

Sammy looking like a big boy! Also, the only picture of him as he would only give a high five to Santa.

 Proud of her cookie

Thomas liked the m&m's

Sharing her list with Santa

Not so sure about Santa but we got a smile

The kids of Stancil and Co.

One last hug for Santa

Christmas Program

Thomas had his preschool Christmas Program and he was an angel.  He was so cute in his costume and sat up in the balcony and sang all the songs.

Angels lined up

Under the wreath doing the motions

Angel

 His preschool class

A celebratory milkshake after

Santa Train

We headed to New Hope Valley Railway to take a ride on the Santa train.  The Barnes joined us and all the kids enjoyed the ride or more importantly enjoyed the hot chocolate :)

Sammy checking out Santa and not liking what he sees

 Passing train

 Aniela was excited!

 Thomas could have ridden this train all day long

 Sweet girl

 

 The best picture of all 3 I could get

 

 Cousins

 

Girl Scout Caroling

Aniela and her Daisy troop went caroling at the Retirement Home in our neighborhood.  They also made cookies and cards for the residents.

Deck the Falls

We had our neighborhood event on Saturday.  There were sleigh rides for the kids, a slide, cupcake decorating, hot chocolate, a horse drawn sleigh and Santa even came to see the kids!

enjoying their cupcakes

Thomas must have gone down the slide 30 times!

Waiting on the sleigh

2 out of 3 ain't bad

 

All deflated