Christmas!!

We had such a fun Christmas Eve!

As we waited for California Uncle to arrive at the airport, and for Washington Uncle's family and Grandma Bear to come over, Little Bear and I took down the Advent decorations and prepared our tree for Christmas! We like to celebrate Christmas Eve somewhat as Daddy Bear did growing up. Though in Daddy Bear's family the children did not help decorate the tree. Since this was one of my favorite parts of growing up (putting on the ornaments) and since Little Bear's great grandmother is continuing her tradition of buying a Hallmark ornament for each kid every year we decided we wanted the children of our family to help in the decorating stage. But then we don't light the tree until the children are up in their rooms Christmas Eve evening. When they hear the bell ring, they know that "Christ has come" and they come into the room to see the tree lit in all it's glory for the first time and we sing a couple of Christmas songs and read the story of Jesus' birth. It is really quite magical, and while we have decided to let the "magic" of Santa Claus/St. Nicholas come at Christmas time, we want the excitement of Jesus' BIRTHday to trump all of that! I would say we were fairly successful this year.

All of the family finally arrived and we enjoyed a lovely dinner of crepes (made by our amazing chef, Daddy Bear). We talked, played, and had a fun Christmas pj photo session of the kids. They were somewhat cooperative...

The family went back to their homes that evening and we awoke the next morning ready for our Braun family Christmas at our house before joining up with the others for Christmas dinner.

Little Bear was CRAZY EXCITED about all of the gifts under the tree. Naturally.

He was thrilled with his gifts and ready to play!

Baby Sister also enjoyed her gifts and wanted to get into everything! Even Mama Bear's toothbrush.

Next we ate breakfast and headed to Christmas Mass, then came home and opened stockings. Look at these happy faces!

Our sweet little Christmas babies!!

We enjoyed spending time exchanging gifts with Grandma Bear and hanging out with all the family for Christmas day.

Mama Bear got to blow out MORE candles on ANOTHER cake for her birthday (NOTE: the candles do not represent MB's actual age)!

And we went home feeling very blessed and ready to celebrate Christmas for 11 more days!! Merry Christmas and Happy Epiphany!!!