The Flanagan Four: Christmas Part Two: Christmas Day!

We had a great Christmas morning this year. We didn't have to rush over to my parents house right after seeing what Santa left this year and it was nice to have a little more relaxed morning. My sister and her husband spent Christmas Eve with his family and came to Columbia in the afternoon Christmas day, so we were able to take our time opening presents and letting the kids play. Jack woke up before 7am and was SO excited to get downstairs. We thought we were gonna have to wake up Rylee, but when we walked into her room, she was sitting up wide awake. Before we went down to see all the goodies, we prayed together as a family and thanked God for sending His son for us. Then, we headed downstairs. They immediately started checking out their stuff and were both very excited. The first thing Jack found was his 'Robot Arm' grabber thing...Santa just knew he'd love that thing! It has been a super big hit. Rylee first spotted her 'Abby Dabby' doll and gave it some big hugs...so cute! Christmas is so much fun when seen through the excitement in a child's eyes!

We then enjoyed a yummy breakfast casserole, cinnamon rolls, and fruit with all the grandparents. Everyone likes to be here to see the kids with their Santa stuff, so we enjoy a good breakfast together. After everyone headed home, we opened our family presents. That was fun to be able to do that as a family and let the kids play for a while. We were able to see what everyone got and kinda leisurely get ready. We headed over to my parents house around lunch time. We ate a quick lunch and then tried (unsuccessfully) to get Rylee to take a little nap! Say-Say and Anthony got to Columbia around 3 and after they got settled, more present opening commenced! It's always a little wild and crazy, but it's so much fun to all be together. We took a break for dinner and enjoyed a super yummy standing rib roast for a little change-up to the normal Christmas dinner. It was so good! We did something new this year...we all spent the night at my parents house on Christmas night. We usually pack up and go home late in the evening, but it was so nice to stay and not have to load up everything after the full day. We were also able to stay around and hang out with my Mom, Say-Say and Anthony after the kiddos (and my Dad) headed to bed! :) We enjoyed a good grits breakfast in the morning and headed home to prepare for the next Christmas get-together after lunch!

And now, lots and lots of pictures...

Santa Came!

First glimpse at all the loot!

Jack tries out his new Robot grabber...

Rylee cooking up something in her new kitchen...

Looking very serious on this phone call!

Jack tries out his new 'big boy bike' that he requested from Santa. It rained a lot on Christmas day, so Jack got to do a few laps around the house!

Jack was also very excited about his new 'big boy legos' (note the big boy theme this year!)...he can spend hours building all sorts of masterpieces!

Rylee checks out all of her new play food...

Jack got new undies in his stocking...He was super excited about these Wall-E undies!

Rylee's one specific request (besides the 'pink presents') was for Candy canes...and she sure got them...and was sticky from head to toe by the end of the morning! :)