The Wolfley's: Christmas Loves

Oh boy did Santa visit the Wolfley household!! We have had an amazing past couple of days and we’re spoiled rotten. Christmas Eve day I spent shopping with my dad (his favorite tradition….he doesn’t buy a thing until Christmas Eve!). Natalie came with us for part of it and we had a great time. By the end of it my feet were killing from all the running around but we definitely found some great gifts! That night we had a delicious Christmas Eve dinner with Nate’s family and then spent the night enjoying the wonderful Christmas spirit. We decorated cupcakes and cookies and had a fabulous time. Makenna and Sage each picked out one of theirs to leave for Santa with a note Kenna dictated herself. Nate wrote whatever Kenna said, including “we left you some Chocolate milk, but please don’t drink it all. Make sure to leave some for me and Sage.” :) Very thoughtful! Afterward we read some Christmas books (The Crippled Lamb & Why Christmas Trees Aren’t Perfect – my favorite!), tucked the girls in bed and told the Nativity story. We’ve tried really hard this year to teach the girls the true meaning of Christmas and have the spirit of Christ in our home. We told them that we are celebrating Christ’s birth and talked about how special that is & Kenna decided Santa brings presents because it’s Jesus’ birthday. I like that idea!

Christmas morning was of course magical! Nate woke up early to make sure he was awake before the girls, but eventually we had to wake them up because Mike & Nicole had come over and all the adults were ready! I have a feeling that won’t last many more years. Both girls were still a little out of it when we went to see what Santa brought, but their excitement quickly took over. We did “Santa gifts” then ate a gourmet Christmas breakfast & moved to the living room to open all the gifts from each other. It was so much fun! I absolutely live for the excitement of Makenna & Sage with every present. I swear they were just as excited about what every one else was opening as what they were! They definitely hurried the morning along as they kept running back to the tree to grab more gifts and pass them out to everyone. No one-at-a-time unwrapping this year! When Makenna opened a Barbie Nate & I had given her, she exclaimed “this is e-sactly what I needed!!!” It was SO cute! Richard & Susan also got the girls a super fun dollhouse with 3 boxes full of accessories (which of course we made them open last, otherwise there might still be presents under the tree!). When Sage opened one of the boxes, she looked inside and yelled “NO WAY HOSÉ! We laughed so hard. Christmas really is all about the kids, they make it so much more fun! After all the gifts were given we rushed to get ready and all went to church at my parent’s ward. There was such a great spirit there! I think every Christmas should fall on a Sunday. We were able to enjoy the morning of gifts & Santa, but still feel the spirit of Christ & remember the true meaning of the day. It was the best of both worlds!

After church we went to visit my Grandpa and then headed up for my family’s awesome Christmas tradition – Christmas night sleepover at the cabin! Since we started the tradition a few years ago, I have absolutely loved it! We each get to spend Christmas Eve & morning with our own families and in-laws, but then get together with my parents, siblings & kids for the night and whole next day of fun and family time! The 10 cousins had a ball with each other and the adults did, too! We opened even more gifts (so spoiled!), played lots of games, lots of pool and talked for hours. I just don’t think Christmas could have been any better!

Christmas Eve cupcake & cookie decorating!