Christmas morning did NOT start bright and early at our house! Carter had crawled into our bed in the wee-morning hours and promptly fell back asleep, like he does fairly regularly lately. He was not to be disturbed when Raine rushed in shortly after 7:00, so she snuggled up and waited. Finally, we’d had enough waiting and woke up that sleepy head!

The kids opened the presents in their stockings first. When Carter pulled out the geode from the bottom of his sock he got a real concerned, puzzled look on his face and said, “Huh? A lump of coal in my stocking?!!” We assured him that it wasn’t a lump of coal, rather a really cool rock that he could crack open to find crystals inside.

We always open presents one at a time, from youngest to oldest.

This is my favorite Christmas tradition! Mmmmmm, Godiva’s dark chocolate hot cocoa mix!

When the presents were open, we made Belgium waffles with berries.

As we were cleaning up, Carter discovered more presents by the second Christmas tree in the library! When we were setting up the trees, Carter had asked if we would get double presents since we had two trees — that kid is always thinkin’!

Daddy went to work setting up the trampoline . . . with a little help.

Carter received exactly what he wanted; he kept telling us what a great Christmas it was.

Mid-afternoon we had our Christmas turkey, marshmallow-topped sweet potatoes, and orange rolls — because it just isn’t a holiday without orange rolls! (And with two ovens, it doesn’t even take extra planning to make it happen — I love this new kitchen!)

(I forgot to pick up green beans at the store, it just doesn’t look right without a true veggie!)

Raine pulled out her new cakesicle maker and whipped up a tasty treat for us before bed.

Raine still expects snow on Christmas, no matter how sunny and warm it is outside. But even without it, we had a pretty magical Christmas!