Christmas at the Reed's

Every other year, Wade's mom and step dad find a family or two we can provide Christmas for instead of getting gifts for each other. It just keeps getting better and better each year because as the children are getting older, they are understanding how good it feels to serve. On Christmas Eve, we had a yummy dinner, program, and then exchanged the craziest white elephant gifts you've ever heard of...foot odor pads, old vacuums, blank gift cards, the list goes on and on. :) lol
Grandpa and Grandma Stoney then surprised all of us with new pajamas.

Christmas at our house is simple, which is how we prefer it to be and definitely easier on the budget. We gave the kids a few books I had received for free from a book fair I hosted at my preschool. And Santa brought them both new bikes. Thanks to my nephew, Alix, who gave his old hand me down bike to Santa to give to Jon. ;)

walking in to see the surprises under the Christmas tree...

Em loving her new book

and excited about her big girl princess bike from Santa and princess helmet from Grandpa and Grandma Reed

Here's Jonny going to work right away with his new tools from Papa and Grandma Lang, while sporting his cool Spiderman helmet from Grandpa and Grandma Reed.

Wade is finding Pirates of the Caribbean in his stocking for the 5th year in a row...it's an inside joke between us, makes Christmas fun, and doesn't cost anything to give him something we already own...haha

Em snuck away for a few quiet moments to put her new baby doll to bed. Thanks Papa and Grandma Lang!

Wade surprised me with a book I have been wanting for months, A Mother's Book of Secrets, written by one of my favorite authors, Linda Eyre and her daughter, Shawni Eyre Pothier. It's very enlightening. I highly recommend it.
Wade modeling his new "man apron," which turned out to not be that manly after all...the bottom flows out like a skirt. Yikes! I went to 6 different stores because I didn't have time to make one, and TJ Maxx had this white one, which is better than my Strawberry Shortcake apron he has been wearing. haha Fortunately, on Christmas Day, he ordered a black apron online and looks very manly in it.
Christmas Morning Caramel Rolls for the 3rd year in a row from the Tokita's

So tasty!