Through the eyes of a Child!

We decided to attend the Christmas Eve-Eve service at our church this year, in hopes of not wearing the kids, or ourselves, out too much. The theme this year was Through the Eyes of a Child. The Worship Center was set up so that when you walk into it, you truly feel like a child...with an over-sized brick fireplace that took up the entire stage area, complete with a flickering fire and a working train that continually circled the mantle and of course, presents. It was pretty amazing!

Bethany all dressed up...

Bethany and Pop...
Bethany, Caleb, Pop and Grandma Keiper watching the train...

Christmas morning...

We still had snow. I don't remember the last time there was actual snow on the ground for Christmas morning!

Christmas morning was a little crazy and it took all we had to snap a couple pictures in the midst of the chaos. With how much energy Caleb had, I would have thought he found a candy stash that we didn't know about. He was non-stop!

Caleb definitely knows what you do with a present, and therefore we decided not to put anything out until Christmas morning. It also was a lot of fun to see the excitement on Caleb's face as he came down the stairs to a full tree. Once he reached the bottom of the stairs he ran for the first present he saw and started ripping it open! (Of course it wasn't his, but Bethany didn't seem to mind the extra help opening her presents!)

Bethany really didn't care much about the presents. After a little coaxing, she pulled some of the paper. What she really wanted to play with was the tree and its decorations!

Caleb and Dad...Lately Caleb smiles until he sees you with the camera, at which time he makes a face which doesn't always portray the true mood. Right after the camera flashed he burst into laughter...what a character!

Caleb's new guitar! ...and a table and chairs just his size!

After some family time, and Bethany's nap (during which Brian and I put Elmo on for Caleb and enjoyed a few minutes for ourselves...we filled each others stocking and decided to buy one small experience we could both enjoy...tickets to the upcoming Brad Paisley concert), we loaded into the car to spend the rest of the day at Grandma Linda's house.

Bethany in her Christmas outfit...

Thank you Great Grandma and Grandpa for the horse!

Uncle August playing ball with Bethany...

Who says you have to be a kid to sit at the "kid's table"?

Caleb, Papa Chito and Great Grandma...Caleb's favorite presents were his new workbench with "working" tools and his own kitchen.

It was a long, fun day filled with family but Christmas wasn't over. The next day was spent with Pop and Grandma Keiper...

Caleb and Bethany enjoying their new books...

Bethany seemed to finally get the hang of opening a present...Caleb loved to draw out opening the presents. He had to try everything out once it was opened before going on to the next. He opened some new coloring books and crayons and we immediately had to take a break to color. This happened at Grandma Linda's house as well...especially with the bubble bath fingerpaints. As soon as they were opened, he stood up and headed for the stairs and asked "Grandma Linda, you have a bathtub?" It was really cute!Bethany enjoying Caleb's new book...