Christmas Day

 Our Christmas morning starts early at the Baugher house! The kids were demanding freedom from upstairs before 6:00am

We finally relented and allowed their release from their upstairs' prison.

I hope they never lose the Christmas morning magic. Oh to be a child again! They keep us young.

They immediately ran to open their stockings. 

After stockings we took turns opening gifts. 

This rolling backpack was number one on Katherine's list. 

Needless to say, she was thrilled!

I struggled a bit with what to get Elisabeth, and I came back to her love language being quality time, so I gifted her with a shopping day with mom. I think I was as excited about it as she was. 

Nathan had a lot of big ticket items on his list this year, so I got him a few small things and paired money with each gift, to help him save up for the bigger items he asked for. 

Elisabeth also got a backpack for her basketball stuff that matches her school backpack. 

The kids surprised me with three new blankets. I can never have too many blankets!

Katherine got a new dance bag, water bottle and a lego set. 

Elisabeth got a stopwatch in her stocking and proceeded to use it to time how fast everyone could open their gifts. That girl turns everything into a competition. 

Elisabeth had been asking for a Stanley tumbler for a long time. 

We got Samuel a new camping backpack and sleeping bag for all his camping trips. 

After all the individual gifts were opened, the kids got to work on their group gift scavenger hunt. I always chuckle how Matt makes the kids do math on Christmas morning to earn their gifts. Nathan had to solve equations to plot points on a graph. We homeschool everyday around here, ha!

I think they were pleased with their surprise!! We got them a Discovery Lab membership that allows provides free membership to other science museums around the country. We're looking forward to many exciting adventures this coming year. 

After presents, it was time for our traditional Christmas breakfast of waffles and bacon. Yum!

We played at home with all our new gifts for a couple of hours, and then we headed over to Barry's for more celebrations. 

These kids were having a great day! Love their smiles!

They might have been a little sugared up to add to the excitement. 

Papa dressed up as Santa. Always such a fun, festive touch. The girls love it. 

The kids have sat in these chairs to open their gifts since they were little bitty. I hope they never outgrow them. 

Ready for presents!

The kids got some great loot from their Papa!

He sure had a huge smile on his face opening his Mahomes jersey. 

Nathan hadn't built a Lego set in many months (maybe years). I sure enjoyed watching his enthusiasm as he built his technic car. 

It didn't take him long to finish!

What a great day celebrating with my favorite people! So many sweet memories were made as we celebrated the birth of our Savior. 

Christmas Eve

 Our Christmas Eve was pretty relaxed this year. We don't make any huge plans and usually spend the day as a family. 

One of our Christmas Eve traditions is our sibling gift exchange. The kids draw names and buy a gift for one of their siblings. 

Katherine drew Samuel this year. She gifted him a cardboard cutting set he'd been asking for. 

Nathan bought Elisabeth a lie detector game. 

Elisabeth gifted Nathan a Gatorade bottle and football cones.

And Samuel thoughtfully gave Katherine outdoor soccer games. 

Matt and I also buy the kids a new game each year that they get to open on Christmas Eve.

For this year, they received Survive the Island. They were very excited!

After presents that afternoon, we headed to our annual Christmas Eve Service at church. It's always such a special time remembering the reason we celebrate Christmas. 

After the service we spent some time fellowshipping and taking some photos. 

Then we headed home to put on our Christmas jammies and play our new game. 

Christmas Traditions

 December is filled with many traditions that get sweeter with each year. 

We always pull out the puzzle table during Christmas time. It's such a cozy way to entertain ourselves during the break. 

We've been making Santa pancakes for dinner one night in December for years. The whipped cream beard grows thicker every year. 

Cookie baking and decorating has always been one of my favorite traditions. I remember years when I had to skip it because it was too much work for the kids' ages. Now, it's such a joy to spend the day decorating with them. There are many times I miss the days with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, but this season of parenting is filled with just as much joy and sweetness and fewer messes. 

Samuel decorated a cute little Gingerbread family. 

The finished products!

This Christmas season our Sunday school class collected gifts for a family in need. Our family had the privilege of delivering them a couple of days before Christmas. The kids were so excited to be little elves and deliver the gifts. I love their servants' hearts. 

For the last several years, we've celebrated Christmas Adam with our neighbors. The celebration includes a Christmas concert. 

Nathan and Katherine played and sang, "O Come O Come Emmanuel."

Samuel played two piano pieces he'd learned.

Elisabeth and Katherine did a cute little rendition of "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer"

And Nathan and Elisabeth played and sang, "Let it Snow"

All the cute performers after the concert

After the concert, we all met at our house for dinner. I always make chicken and noodles for dinner on Christmas Adam. 

After dinner, Elena had the idea of caroling to a few neighbors. It was such a sweet new tradition. 

Then we came back for dessert and games. The girls helped me make all sorts of Christmas treats for dessert. 

We sure love celebrating Christmas Adam with these sweet families each year.