We had a wonderful Christmas this year. It's hard to believe that another Christmas has come and gone, but with the terrible tragedy in Newtown, this Christmas seemed even more precious and special.
Santa came to visit the kids and left a few goodies! Parker got up around 7:30 and we woke Hannah up at 8:30am. Parker kept going over to look at the goodies, but we had him wait for Hannah. (I know that won't happen too many more times - hah!)
The wrapped gifts from Santa and their stockings
Santa even left Jake a few goodies in his stocking
Hannah went for her stocking first and pulled the little doggie out. She absolutely loves this little doggie. She went, "Oooohhhh" and gave it a hug. She has played with it several times every day since Christmas - it's really cute.
Hannah also got a hard-back book Rudolph in her stocking as well.
Parker was intrigued with his Lace and Trace animal set. It's a "Melissa and Doug" toy and it's like cardboard cutouts with holes punched around the perimeter of each shape. There are colored shoelaces that you take and weave in and out of the holes. It should be a good activity for him!
Parker being nice and letting Hannah take a look at his mini Rudolph coloring book set.
Hannah was really into opening the presents this year - it was so sweet to watch her face as she ripped the paper!
Hannah got a fun little puzzle from Santa
Parker was ready to open this little gift from Santa. This was a "Parker and Hannah" gift from Santa.
The gift was a little Fisher Price school bus with a little girl figure inside. Since Parker rides the bus home from preschool a few days a week, Santa thought this would be perfect. Both kids are really into cars and trucks, so this is a fun gift they can share together.
Parker was having fun ripping off the paper. This was an Elmo talking book about using the potty and a hardback book with a drawing pad.
Sweet little Hannah on Christmas morning with our "Parker and Hannah" tree in the background.
Hannah enjoying opening another gift. This was her "big" gift from Santa - a Leap Frog talking doggie named Violet. It's an interactive doggie that talks and sings.
Parker opening his big gift from Santa - a tabletop art easel. Hannah came over to help out because I guess he was taking too long - hah!
Parker got his letter he helped write for Santa and brought it to Brad. Brad read it out loud and Parker wanted to make sure Santa left everything he had written in his letter - hah! Luckily, Santa came through - hah!
Jake with his loot from Santa
Hannah grabbed one of Jake's treats and Jake stayed right beside her the entire time. He didn't want that treat going anywhere - hah!
Christmas morning with our precious little ones. So thankful we were able to spend another Christmas together as a family of four!
Last Christmas 2011
After we opened our gifts from Santa, we moved to our living room to open gifts from our families.
We started with my sister and her family. We were hopeful they were going to get to come to TN for Christmas this year, but they weren't able to make it work with their work schedules. Hopefully we'll be able to see them very soon!
They got Parker a cool interactive Leap Frog learning book and a shirt and pants. Thanks Sis!
They got Hannah a cute interactive baby doll, which she loves giving it hugs and kisses. She also got a cute fleece outfit - thanks Sis!
Next we opened our gifts from Grandpa and Grandma Kleeman. They got the kids a book about a special dog from Alaska when they went on their cruise. They also got a cute recordable Winnie the Pooh storybook and a donation to their college fund. Thanks so much - the kids love the Pooh book!
Next the kids opened their gift from Brad's sister, Jenny and her family. They got the kids 2 Veggie Tales DVDs. Thanks guys!
Jake and the kids also got a few things from Brad and I. Jake got a couple of treats and two chew toys. Parker got a new Old Navy zip-up jacket, jeans and socks and Hannah got an Old Navy zip-up sweater, a pair of jean leggings and jeans.
After we enjoyed special time together as a family of four at our house Christmas morning, we got ready to head to Chattanooga for Christmas with my family. I don't go home very often, but when I do, I always stop by my Dad's gravesite to pay my respects. I still can't believe he's been gone 10 years. It still doesn't seem real and those raw feelings of missing him are still there with me daily.
I know how my Dad was with my brother and sister's kids, so I know he would have loved having two more grandchildren to spoil. That just makes my sadness all the more intense because he would have been an awesome Grandpa to Parker and Hannah.
This picture is just absolutely precious for me. Hannah's sweet smile, along with her hand on Grandpa's stone. This just absolutely melts my heart and I am sure my Dad was smiling down on her from heaven too!
The kids visiting with Grandpa Henry
A picture of the kids last year at Christmas with Grandpa Henry
This picture just cracks me up and I know my Dad chuckled too! The kids were sitting by Grandpa, so after a little bit, I told the kids it was time to get in the car so we could go eat. Both kids got up at the same time and I was just lucky enough to get this great shot! I know my Dad was giggling and this picture makes me smile every time I look at it!
Hannah spending some time with her Uncle Ryan. The last time they saw each other was at Christmas last year when she was 1 month old!
Hannah with Uncle Ryan last year at Christmas 2011
Cousins Dakota and Katey were so sweet with Parker and Hannah. They held them, played with them and even helped them open presents and let them open their presents too!
Hannah couldn't wait to open presents - she was the first one over at the gifts and started taking off all the bows - hah!
This only lasted a few seconds - hah!
Hannah loved getting into the box - too cute!
Cousin Katey being so sweet, helpful and patient with Parker and Hannah
Hannah loved tearing all the tissue - hah!
Jake posing with his cute Christmas bow!
Grandma Henry with Parker and Hannah. She got them lots of cute things . . . for Hannah she got her a super cute purple raincoat with a matching hat, a rainforest learning toy, a cute outfit, some bows, along with a few other things. For Parker she got him a very handsome snowman sweater with a long-sleeve plaid shirt, a Pooh ball, a little train, and a few other things. Thanks Grandma - we love all our goodies.
My mom with all her grandkids - Dakota, Katey, Parker and Hannah
Uncle Ryan and Parker - Parker really likes Ryan and always goes up to him. They are so sweet together.
Here they were last year at Christmas 2011 - so sweet!
Uncle Ryan with Parker and Hannah. He and his wife Donnie and their family got the kids each a hardback book and an outfit. We love it all - thanks guys!
Cousin Katey with Hannah - she was so sweet with her all day!
Cousin Katey was just as super sweet with Hannah last year
The kids were so good all day long. They did not nap in the afternoon, like they usually do, so they had been going strong since the morning, so by the time 5pm rolled around, Parker was super tired. He just wanted to sit curled up in Uncle Ryan's lap. On our way home, he did sleep for about 30 minutes.
Aunt Donnie with Hannah. She was a trooper too because she had been going nonstop since she woke up that morning and she didn't really sleep on our way to Chattanooga, but she did make this cute little face for the picture - hah! Luckily, she slept about an hour on our way home.
Aunt Donnie with Hannah last year at Christmas 2011
And of course, Parker with his best buddy Cousin Dakota. Dakota has always been so sweet and helpful every time he's around Parker. It's so very sweet and we appreciate that so much!
Cousin Dakota and Parker together last year at Christmas
Me and my brother Ryan. We don't get to see each other that often, but I am always grateful for the time we get to spend together. Love you brother!
