Christmas!

We had an amazing Christmas! We cherish the time we were able to spend with family and the memories that were made this holiday season. We appreciate all of the gifts we received, from family and friends near and far. We wish we could have celebrated Christmas with everyone, but we just don't have the time available to do so. 

Joey was extremely blessed with gifts this year from family and friends! He has been nonstop playing with his new toys since he opened his Santa gifts on Christmas morning. He has especially enjoyed all of the time with family and attention he has received from everyone! He is such a little ham, he loves for all eyes (and cameras!) to be on him. 

Enjoy all the pictures! 

Our kitchen island was overloaded with Christmas cards, so I decided to make this card holder after seeing one on Pinterest. Super easy, just use wired ribbon and clothes pins! 

Joe helping me make the reindeer beer we gave to some of the men in our family! It was such a fun craft to do together, and the guys really loved receiving this gift. I'll try to find the tutorial I found on Pinterest and put the link on here.

He looks so grown up in this picture! My baby is becoming a very active little boy. 

 Empty boxes are always the most fun! 

Laying on his new sleeping bag with his Aunt Jordan  

 Say "Cheese"!

 Christmas morning

 Getting the first glimpse of what Santa brought him!

 One of my favorite pictures I took this Christmas.

 Taking a break for some milk.

 Lexi making sure it's safe enough for Joey to play with.

Funny Story... Joe had this jewelry box wrapped in heavy duty tape in a really good hiding spot so I wouldn't be able to peek. 

What was inside the ridiculously wrapped box :-) A couple of charms each of our babies, and one Eternal love charm for us! 

 Joe looking at the picture desk calendar I made for him on Shutterfly. Each month has pictures of things that happened in that month in our previous years of being together. I wish I made 2! He's taking his to work. 

Lexi checking out Joey's toys

Opening presents from MomMom and PawPaw!

Joey with Uncle Tommy

Aunt CiCi putting on Joey's adorable new boots they gave him! 

Looking at Papa Yates' Christmas tree

Yummy hashbrown casserole for Christmas morning breakfast. It was delicious and tasted just like Cracker Barrel's! 

Joe went above and beyond this Christmas. He gave me a beautiful bracelet and charms from Pandora (pictured above). Each individual charm carries so much meaning, I love wearing it and looking at it in admiration that he put so much thought into each charm he selected. He is truly an amazing husband and a wonderful father to his children. I couldn't ask for a better person to share the rest of my life with! 

Due to money being tight this year, we made a lot of the gifts that we gave out since we have so many people that we want to give presents to. I did feel guilty receiving so much from others and not being able to give back the same amount of gifts. I wish we were able to spend tons of money, but it's just not possible, especially with the arrival of baby Hayley in about 2 1/2 months! I hope everyone enjoys their gifts from us, and know that they were made with love. 

Now, time to get ready for the New Year! Not sure that we'll be able to stay up late enough to watch the ball drop on TV, but we'll certainly try! 

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! 
-Laura