Hartsock happenings: Highlight reel: Christmas 2012

What a whirlwind of FUN! We cram a LOT into a 48 hour period at Christmastime, but it's so good to be able to spend the holidays with our families.

They say a picture is worth a 1,000 words, so this post should be worth about a short novel (give or take). :)

Christmas Eve at Grandpa and Grandma Miller's - breakfast . . .

. . . then (to Braden's delight!), presents! He knew this big one was for him, and had been waiting for days to open it!

It was a BIG train (assembly pics later) :)

E got into the action too . . . she was a little confused by the talking puppy at first, though. :)

. . . but was eager to help everyone unwrap!

Elise also was taking 2-3 steps on Christmas Eve!

After the Miller fam celebration, we went home and Elise napped while we assemble the TRAIN! B was soooo very excited . . .

Chooo chooo!

Daddy and B coloring the train - we have a LOT of coloring to do!

After lunch (in an attempt to wear B out so that he'd nap), Billy and Braden headed out for a sled ride.

Elise reallllllly wanted to go too, but it was too cold, so she rode her sled inside. . .

. . . and kept trying to get OUTside . . .

PLEASE let me come out?

Christmas Eve evening we gathered at (Great) Grandma Boese's for our traditional soup supper and gift exchange

We wrapped up the day by reading the Christmas story, telling our elf Rugby goodbye, and putting out milk and cookies (and carrots for the reindeer)

Santa came! (We had not put out any gifts prior to Christmas morning due to Miss E's affection for tearing any and all paper that she can get her hands on - so Braden's face when he saw the presents under the tree on Christmas morning was priceless!)

Here's how you do this, Elise . . .

This is fun!

Finally some girlie stuff to play with!

Breakfast Christmas morning . . .

. . . cinnamon rolls (via pinterest) - yum!

The aftermath . . .

We spent the middle of our Christmas day at the Miller family gathering at Dennis and Sally's. We enjoyed a yummy lunch of all the traditional favorites, including Mom's chocolate torte for dessert. B was a fan!

He was also a fan of playing in the big box!

Miller family great grands (second cousins) . . . (and why, yes, I am holding Braden in his place on the couch - he was not diggin pictures this year ) :0