We will travel...Santa will follow!

Grandma and Grandpa's house on Christmas Day

 I have always loved Christmas "morning" and walking out to find what Santa left in my parents living room....now, with children of my own, it is even more fun, more exciting and more magical than it was when I was a kid.  A drum set, a tool bench and a toy kitchen are so much more exciting to me that my four wheeler or Barbie hotel ever were....and, let me be clear, I loved both of those things!  Santa even brought me a bed one time...talk about excited....but, these toys and those faces topped all of that!  I love Christmas "morning" and the excitement that comes with it!

Our Christmas routine is a bit tiring to say the least and once we arrive at my parents, I am finally able to relax a little - maybe its because that is "home" for me - but, I think its more because we are finally in our final "spot" for 24 hours....after being on the go and on the road for the previous 24 hours.  Once we get into their house, we are always greeted with an abundance of gifts.....even without all of the gifts, my mom's living room and her Christmas tree on Christmas day are so very beautiful to me....again, I guess its the childhood memories coming back but year after year I'm amazed at the beauty of her Christmas decor.  I'm always amazed that Santa finds us at her house too and leaves so many gifts!  The boys get most of their gifts from Chad and I once we arrive at grandma and grandpa's house so that is exciting for us too.

After catching a glimpse of what Santa has left for all of us and playing for a few minutes we all change into comfy clothes and settle in for the night.......ahhhhhhh, relaxation!  Its just us for the rest of the night so we can go at our own pace and ohh and ahh over toys, play with them, take breaks, eat dinner, etc whenever we want!

Santa left the tool bench and several kitchen toys for Owen.  Santa must have known that Grandma and Grandpa had found this awesome kitchen for Owen.  The boys loved the kitchen and all of the parts that came with it!

 Looks like Santa did bring Payton's drums after all!

Super lucky kid with a very generous Santa!

So excited about his new drums and drum sticks....Santa did forget his microphone but we're okay with that!

This kid has rhythm too!  Looks like I've got myself a sweet little drummer boy!

Owen checking out his new tool bench.  He was really happy with all of his toys this year.  I would have to guess that he pot holders that came with the kitchen might have been his favorite!

Stockings!

 Trying out the new toys...

Keeping a nice beat....

...and pausing in the kitchen for a drink!

Grandpa helped Owen get a set of Cars 2 cars opened up.

Payton got UNC Basketball shorts from Mom and Dad......talk about excited!

"Shoo!  Shoo!"  Owen got his second pair of shoes and just like the 1st pair the demanded to have them on immediately!

Owen - styling in his new shoes and jammies!

I love Owen in this picture....so reliant on Grandpa to help him!

Payton got his 1st real watch - sports themed of course!

Grandma opens the ornament the boys made for her - reindeer out of their thumb prints.

Christmas would not have been complete without these pretend yard tools - an edger and a leaf blower - complete with goggles!  They've had a lot of fun with these!

A Tarheel Pillow Pet....our world is complete :)

Payton's new winter hat with a fire truck on the side to match a new shirt from Grandma.

Chad and I did not exchange many gifts this year.  My parents, as always, gave us far too many things and we have enjoyed using each of them....Chad still needs to crank up the leaf blower (our yard work is about 4 weeks past due!!).  

After four houses, 3 big meals, lots of family time, an hour and a half on the road and LOTS of new presents, we finished our day with dinner and bed for the boys.  We had a WONDERFUL Christmas day but we were certainly exhausted!