What a Christmas Day!

Well, the stockings are hung but they are empty again. The tree is there but only a few gifts remain now for the family we will see tomorrow. And all I can say is what a fun day! It all started last night with the Christmas Eve service. Then it was home for some special gifts from Papa and Nora and Daddy's annual reading of the Night Before Christmas. A few treats and then off to bed. The kids were up and ready at 6:15 a.m. but being the mean parents that we are we made them wait till 7:00a.m. until going downstairs. What fun was had by all. Breakfast was homemade pumpkin bread. Then it was get ready for our Cryder family Christmas. The turkey surprised us and was done by 12:15 so we called everyone to hurry up and get over. Lunch was scheduled for 2:00! Everyone got there and the food was amazing. I've never cooked a turkey so good and moist. The homemade rolls my mom brought over were the perfect compliment. And of course you can never have enough gravy. With the other fixin's and desserts, we are full for sure!

The kids played and played. They had such a good time. My mom did the Christmas Story with flannel again this year and then a lot of singing and instruments to go around. We ended the time with a great rendition of Happy Birthday to Jesus. My parents were definitely the most surprised when we had them unwrap their ping pong table. Oh what fun this summer will be over at Grandma and Grandpa's house. What a blessed day to be with family. And by far the funnest gift of the day was Jordan's new Super Blaster 10 Shooter Dart guns. Be careful though, you'll shoot your eye out.

Daddy reading The Night Before Christmas


Last family hugs and off to bed.


Woo Hoo. It's time to go downstairs. (mommy and daddy have gotten 5 hours of sleep at this point)


Mikayla excited about Pet Playground for the leapster!


Jordan giving the family the gift he made in school.


Thank you Aunt Chrissy for the AWESOME Foosball Table.


My sweet Christmas children.


Daddy's cool ceiling storage.


Target practice on the family room window.


Isabella immediately starts learning her new Bella Dancerella Princess Dances.


What intensity and focus! I gotta get this girl dance lessons soon.


Grandma telling the Christmas Story.


The kids helping put up the pieces as the story is told.


Mikayla making sure everything is just right.