A Clum-House Christmas

Continuing on with the Christmas posts, here are a bunch of photos from our Christmas at the "Clum-house" (how Nolan says "clubhouse", which is what we are calling our rental to avoid confusion as we look for our next house). Even though it is a year "in transition", it is a special one to remember as Emmy's first Christmas and Nolan's enthusiasm over the holiday at 3 years old.

The calm before the storm. Special gifts from Santa are in the black paper with Santas on it.

Nolan's home-made cookies and Card for Santa

Santa crumbs

Santa wrote back!

Poor Emmy and her mismatched stocking! We'll order new ones for next year :)

Nolan has been so excited this year for Christmas! We've been using his little Melissa and Doug count-down magnetic tree to see how many days were left before Christmas. He loved seeing Santa on the North Pole express and at the mall, and couldn't wait for him to visit the Clum-House. He was so excited on Christmas morning when he saw all the presents!

Santa Came!!!!!

So excited to start opening!

The kids did great with all the opening. We'd let Nolan choose the presents and read who it was for. We don't have all the presents come from Santa - he just gives whatever Nolan had asked for from Santa. The rest are from Daddy and Mommy. This way we can explain in other years why it is important to help others during Christmas who may not have as much during the holidays (why would Santa give more presents to some kids and not others?!) Santa always wraps his presents in wrapping paper with Santas on them.

Emmy is ready to go!

Nolan picked the biggest one to open first (he "helped" even though it was Emmy's activity table!) 

The next biggest was Nolan's Thomas Take N Play Dragon Drop - what he asked for from Santa!

Emmy's happy with the wrapping paper. Nolan's on to the next gift!

Violet toy for Emmy!

Watercolor of our old house from Mommy to Daddy :)

Mac from Cars - Nolan's other big gift from Santa

Lightening McQueen!

This kid is obsessed with trains and the Polar Express movie and book!

His favorite book from his old school!

Helping Daddy open his presents too

Nolan's gift from Emmy - "Steam Train, Dream Train" (as requested). Nolan gave Emmy "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" :)

Christmas Dean!

Love <3

Loading Lightening into Mac

Snack break!

She makes this face all the time when eating. She tilts her head back and takes a deep breath and laughs at you. Love this kid.

Paci back and ready for action!

Nothing in the world like Christmas morning with your kids.

Happy boy

Dean made out pretty well too!!

New giraffe toy

New bone

Christmas Morning Cuddles

Baby's first Christmas!

I never tire of watching them play together (and they are great at it!) 

Scooter!

Stinker

What a successful morning!

It was a really wonderful morning. I made cinnamon rolls and baked egg "nests", which made for a special/fancier breakfast, and we were able to just take our time and enjoy being together. We listened to Christmas music while opening presents, watched some Christmas shows (Frosty, the Grinch, Charlie Brown...) and played with new presents before getting ready to head over to Nonna and Pop Pop's for round 3! Lucky lucky kids and family. I'm already dreaming of next year.