Oh the bribery that it took to get this photo! And my camera remote stopped working so I had to do it old-school, with the 10-second timer followed by a mad dash into position.

Carter was so excited for Christmas (i.e. presents) this year, so I wrapped up some new jammies that I found on sale at Target and let them open those on Christmas Eve.

They were so excited . . .

At least until they got the boxes open!!!

Then, we all put on our jammies and piled in the car to look at Christmas lights.

People who not only take the time to put up lights, but also choreograph them to music, are the BEST!

So are people who wrap lights around every last inch of a giant tree!

After putting out the cookies for Santa (the plate had 3 cookies when it left the kitchen, but somehow only had 2 when it arrived on the hearth) the kids went to bed. (Although Raine had to re-brush her teeth first. And then Carter remembered that the reindeer needed oats. But after all that, then they went to bed.)