We had a wonderful Christmas as a family of four. I woke up super early (Brian asked if I had even slept) to make the monkey bread and make sure everything was ready for the kids. After all, Olivia has been waking up very early in anticipation these past few mornings and we were figuring she'd be up by 6:30. Not today!
It was almost 7:30 before she made her appearance, greeting us with a robust, "Merry Christmas", quickly followed by rapid fire excited outbursts: "Look! Santa ate the cookies we left for him!", "Wow! Look at all the presents under the tree!", "I'm so excited!", "Mama, can I help you make the monkey bread?!?". We had a quick breakfast of monkey bread before opening up a few presents before we got ready for church. We figured Joe Sung Min wouldn't mind if Liv opened up a few presents, so we got started. Olivia was very excited - and appreciative of all her presents. By the time Brian got Joe up and fed, we had time to open up two of his presents, and they have turned out to be his favorites -- some stacking blocks and a Pororo doll that we had shipped from Korea. He broke into a huge grin and kept clapping - and even gave Pororo one of his forehead "hugs".
At church, we decided that Liv would join me in the choir loft and Joe would stay downstairs with Papa. Both kids did very well in church, Liv, standing the whole time with me and Joe being rather quiet down in the pew. The alto section kept commenting on how cute Joe was, how beautiful Liv looked and then it happened, Joe finally saw us and he laughed and waved and babbled. Heads turned, we waved and the choir chuckled. His vision is better than we expected! Joe ended up coming upstairs with me and Liv after communion and he was definitely Mr. Popular.
We had a relaxing day at home: snack, nap (me and Joe - Liv and Brian looked at things under her new microscope), lunch and playing before heading back to Grandma and Grandpa's house. We were excited to hear that cousins Randy, Jessica, Mitchell and Raniece were going to stop by. Joe was great with his cousins and was enthralled by Mitchell's remote control helicopter. Liv has already requested one when she gets older.
Soon it was time to get the kids to bed. Before Liv said her prayers, she softly said, "You know, Mama, I got a lot of nice things for Christmas, but Joe Sung Min is the best Christmas present ever -- after Baby Jesus." I got a little teary at that comment and couldn't help but think how blessed we are.
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| A very excited Olivia |
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| Putting Baby Jesus in the manger |
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| Can't. Wait. |
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| And Joe makes a grand entrance |
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| Santa even brought some presents for the pets |
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| So excited to get a microscope |
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| All smiles with Pororo |
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| Joe was so excited he kept clapping for his Pororo |
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| A little pre-dawn Christmas concert |
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| Liv and Brian with the camouflage coffee mug she bought him |
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| The kids were enthralled with Mitchell's helicopter |
Beautiful family!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much. I'm a little biased, but have to agree with you. Have a wonderful Christmas!
ReplyDeleteAwe...what a sweet post. You have a wonderful family. Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Tammie. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas, too.
ReplyDeleteThese pictures are priceless. I love each one. He has grown SO much!! :) And Liv with her bow in the front dress. Hee hee!
ReplyDeleteI have really enjoyed looking at these pictures again, Mel. It is amazing the transformation Joe has gone through in the past two years. Glad you could be part of the whole journey!
DeleteMonkey bread AND a new baby brother?!!?
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet way to express her excitement to you. BEAUTIFUL post, Becky. Just beautiful. And great pictures. Glad you documented it all to share with us.
Hope you're having a wonderful holiday. :)
Thank you so much, Michele. That was truly a magical year for us - and I, too, am glad it was documented since some of that had already slipped into the back recesses of my mind. :) I hope you and yours had a fantastic holiday season, too.
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