The children were nestled all snug in their beds and not a creature was stirring not even a sweet lil' 17 yr old kitty. : )
We are really anticipating that this might be the last Christmas with good ol' Tigger-- Can you believe--17??? We got Tigger (aka.Yoda) when Joey and I were dating in high school. He loves getting under the tree when all the presents are out and this year was no exception. Christmas eve at Mimi and Bibi's house was filled with stories, the gingerbread house and SAGE!
Sage's first Christmas! We were so excited just to be together as a family and enjoy him.
Mimi and the kids tackled the gingerbread house early.
It was glorious! My kids are so crafty!
Christmas is a big deal at the Jolley house and we all get together, It is a blast to catch up with the family and see how things are going. We are all very close and I am so thankful for it. The Jolley men took a break to take a pic! Dave, David, Sage, Heath and Dale Jolley.
Some fine men right there!
Christmas eve is never complete without the Christmas fort. I think my brother loves this tradition as much or more than the kids and each year the designs get more and More elaborate.
Heath is the apprentice, and the entire room became a fort. Let me just say that the bunk beds were turned upside down and furniture was on its side for this one!
The kids got a story all snugged up with Bibi and then they were off to sleep in their fort. Then the magic begins--Everyone who is not a kids gets to put the presents out and some who aren't kids will go to bed because they don't want to see the tree til the morning. I can remember when I "crossed- over" and stayed up to put presents under the tree. At first it seemed like the magic was gone, missing that moment in the morning when I would walk in and see the tree for the first time. But a favorite thing for me, now, is staying up late, putting out the presents because we all work so quietly, not to disturb the children, and listening to the fire crackle under the stockings. The sound is almost like the sound of fresh snow falling. It is a comforting, family, cozy kind of sound, that gets forever etched in my mind. I love it! Sometimes I can even manage to stay up after everyone goes to sleep and I can just sit and express thanks to God for the blessings of family. With so many of us gathered together, the tree is always loaded.
And would you believe--Tigger, after a long trek to the middle, found his place and is asleep under that tree. : )
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...
and in the morning the grandbabies are ready to get busy! Sage is still getting used to this whole "Excitement" thing and was shaking off the last of the sleepy bugs before gettting into the presents. : )
The Nerf war is ON!
So fun--gotta love Nerf guns!
Look at those sweet Christmas jammies!
Momo made Alora wonderful homemade arm warmers and coolio gloves!
These two are lovin' sharing the crafts!
We had a blast spending the morning together opening presents inside and more excitement was transpiring outside...to be continued.
1 comment:
You have a way with words that takes us with you to that place in time of which you speak and you do it in a way that few others can do. You are a very talented writer and if you were a published author I would be your biggest fan:)
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