Days with the Dorans

Santa came! There is such a peaceful feeling on Christmas morning. I love the stillness. The stockings were stuffed. And Santa gifts were delivered. I didn't really take any pictures but lived in the moment which I guess was nice. We had a lazy morning and it as perfect. Since Danny's family couldn't come there wasn't a huge rush to get over to Nana and Papa's house right away! We still opened all of our presents which was fun. One of the things Nana got all the kids was a personalized puzzle with them. Joey opened his up right away and did it. It was really cool! It was strange not seeing my brother on Christmas Day. I think it may have been my first Christmas without him since he was born! I put my ornament front and center on the tree and he wasn't there to put that metal mask thing in front of it. It just wasn't that same... The food was delish though and we had a great day! Merry Christmas!

  I love Christmas mornings! Santa came!! HERE is a video of the kids opening their gifts from him!

It was early in the 5s when I got the first wake-up call and told them to wait until 6am. When they came back at 5:40, we gave up and headed down. I thought teens were supposed to sleep in! When we got downstairs they were sitting on the couch, waiting to do stockings. The Littles slept in Ali's room as is tradition but Sean told me his eyes opened a little bit "just to check Santa Tracker." He said when he realized Santa was in the US, he went to bed. Sean is telling me that it was Zach who went down first but "of course I followed him. And minutes later, Joey came, then Ali, and our parents." (I love when he's in here to blog). The opening of gifts was great and took over an hour because it was nice and slow. Everyone took turns and gave lots of hugs and thanks.  Marty was going nuts! He LOVES unwrapping presents and I think helped everyone as some point. He got some good things too! It was a good Christmas for all of us! I put together a ...

 I thought perhaps now that they're a bit older the kids might sleep in a bit. I got to sleep in a little, but that's because they know that mama needs her sleep, so while Joey (shockingly) was the first up before six, I didn't go down until 7 and yes- the others were there waiting and hadn't even touched their stockings. Santa had come and the cookies and milk were gone. The Littles stayed the night in Al's room where they all tracked Santa but fell asleep before actually getting to see him. I love our Christmas mornings! Jeff passes out the gifts one by one. We savor them and thank each other and it's just one of those moments you want to stretch out. Even though we don't go crazy with the gifts, it's perfect. I got dad all disc golf stuff since that is his happy place. I got him a new net (if that's what they're called), a small disc golf toy and a disc golf Zen book which I think he had read before the end of the day! The ki...

Santa Came!!! We are so lucky! Each kiddo had things under the tree that they wanted. Joe got mostly clothes and some much needed colored pencils along with a cool helicopter. Ali got a necklace that when she read it I think made us both get a little teary. It said, "Always remember you're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think and loved more than you know." She also got clothes and some crafty stuff. Z got a lot of great things including a helicopter (Joe and Sean got one too) that he can fly all around the house- he's gotten quite good. He also got a rock kit and other things! He had a good year! Sean's favorite things were BOOKS! I am not a buyer of books usually (LIBRARY) but when he's outgrown these, I'll take them to Room 119. He got some toys too of course. He was so thankful for everything. My favorite part of the morning was when he said, "Get over here!!!" and pulled Joey into a hug th...

3:27am! That's what time it was when the kids burst into our room to let us know that Santa had come! We told them they needed to stay in bed until at least 6am! Shortly after 6am, we headed downstairs. It was a WONDERFUL Christmas. Everyone got a few things that they loved but not too much. My favorite was watching the hugs and thank yous. I remember when they needed to be prompted, now the appreciation comes naturally. Jeff and I are doing our job.  After a nap and walk for Marty, we played a little of Pie-Face which was a blast! We got some good play time in prior to heading to Nana and Papa's to celebrate with the Drapals. HA! I have no idear what was going on in this picture prior to opening the last gifts (the ones from Santa)... Maybe dad was telling them to wait a bit! I also made a little video from pictures I took that you can see HERE . Blessed.