Today we were able to celebrate Christmas with Matt's parents and his brother, Adam's family. We decided to celebrate Christmas early this year in an effort to lessen the chaos that is Christmas Day. Whenever we try to visit everyone on Christmas, it feels rushed and we are not able to enjoy the day because we are always worried about the next place we need to be. This year, we decided we would try having "First Christmas" on the Sunday before Christmas. If it works well...it just may be our new Freebairn Family Tradition!
The kids were so excited to open all of their gifts, so we decided to let them go first. We started with the youngest and took turns one-at-a-time, until we got to the oldest...then we started the round all over again. I love watching everyone open all of their gifts. It makes me so happy to see everyone so happy!
The first gift Zachary opened was from Adam, Tifani, Kena, Kate, Jack and Tyler. It was a Captain America flashlight and an Iron Man Mask...and Zachary was in-love! He immediately put the mask on and started blasting us with the pretend repulsor rays on each of his palms. Seriously...I was a little worried that he was going to wear that mask for the rest of the day!
Elizabeth was so excited when she opened her My Little Pony Scooter Friends ponies from Grandma and Grandpa. Rarity is one of her favorite ponies and was included in this pack!
We were thrilled when Kate opened the gift that we had picked out for her. We got her a Playdoh Prettiest Princess Castle set. She had the biggest smile on her face and immediately asked if she could open it. We could not have asked for a better reaction. We are so glad that she loves it!
We got Jack two Transformers Masks...Optimus Prime and Bumblebee! We know that he loves to wear masks and thought that these would be a great addition to his collection.
Kena seemed to really like the leopard print pajamas that we got for her. Elizabeth saw them hanging on a rack at the Georgell's Doll Shop and wanted to get them for Kena. I love that they come with matching leopard print slippers!
Tyler opened his gift from us as his very first gift...and immediately wanted to get it out. Once it was out of the package, he wasn't really interested in opening any of his other gifts! I consider that a success...seems likes he loves his Thomas the Train Tidmouth Sheds set.
Needless to say, Elizabeth and Zachary were totally spoiled. I feel humbled and such a deep sense of appreciation for our family. They went above-and-beyond in making our children's Christmas special. Elizabeth received some amazing gifts. She loved the Disney Princess Deluxe Dress-Up Paper Dolls that Adam and his family gave her. When I asked her, she said her favorite gift was the Squinkies Deluxe Castle Surprise Play set that she received from Grandma and Grandpa. She also received a Squinkies Caboodle, 5 outfits- one of which had a matching outfit for her doll Lily, and a hoodie!
As if all of that was not enough, Grandma and Grandpa also got each of the grandchildren a personalized Disney Backpack, filled with more gifts, and Disney pajamas! Elizabeth received a Rapunzel backpack and Rapunzel pajamas. In her backpack she found a Scoops Serves Ice Cream Mini Lalaloopsy play set, a Fancy Nancy Artist Journal, a Fancy Nancy Charming Bracelet, and a Littlest Pet Shop Petriplets Pigs set. Grandma and Grandpa went a little crazy this year...but we are sure glad they did!
Zachary had a great time opening gift, despite being sick. He would lay down or eat crackers while it was the other kids turns; however, he would sit right up and grab a gift when it was his turn. He still grimace each time he rips the wrapping paper but usually gets super excited about the present inside! He received a Fisher-Price Buzz and a Fisher-Price Woody from Grandma and Grandpa, along with 4 new outfit!
Zachary loved his Cars personalized backpack and all of the fun things inside. His backpack was filled with a Playskool Hereos Flip Out Stunt Buggy, a Lightening McQueen stuffed toy, and a Sunnyside Rescue gift pack. He also got the cutest Cars pajamas.
Have I mentioned lately that I love this little girl!
After all the kids were done opening their gifts, we changed them into their new pajamas and put on a movie. Once they were all snuggled in and enjoying the show, we headed back to the front room to open all of the rest of the gifts. We continued with the same oldest-to-youngest pattern so Tifani went first. We got her a car charger and cord for her new iPhone 5. Not very creative...but something that she has been wanting!
Adam was next. We got him a movie gift certificate. There are so many good movies coming out in the next little bit. We were hoping that he would be able to find time to go to one of them!
I was totally spoiled and received a ton of nice things. Karla and Kelly got me a Red Canvas Wagon, a yoga tote bag, a microfiber cloth, a year subscription to Creating Keepsakes Magazine, and a book I have been wanting for a couple of months, "Illustrated Book of Mormon Stories". I cannot wait to read these stories with Elizabeth and Zachary. Adam and Tifani's family gave me a beautiful scarf and a book titled, "The Beginning of Better Days". They went all high-tech and sent me the eBook via my email address. I cannot wait to read this on my tablet. I feel so tech savvy!
Matt was more than spoiled this year. He received lots of photography "goodies". Adam and Tifani's family got him a Nurf Gun and Giottos Rocket-Air Cleaning system. Apparently, this is the best device for cleaning the dust off of your camera lens. His mom and dad gave him a Manfrotto Black Stand Lighting Support set, a Stroboframe Shoe-type Flash Mount, a Yongnuo Speedlite, a Joby Gorilla Pod, and Kevin Kubota's Lighting Notebook book. Just so he didn't receive all photography gifts...they also got him a burgundy sweater, a microfiber cloth, and two packages of Star Wars Fighter Pods-- Imperial Shuttle Pack and X-Wing Fighter Pack.
Judging by facial expression alone...I would guess that Adam's favorite gifts were his hedge clippers and his new drill!
Karla seemed to really like the Ott light that we gave her. I love mine and was hoping that she would love having one as well. The best part about this light is that it has a rechargeable battery so you can bring it wherever you are going and don't have to hope you can find an outlet!
In order to avoid getting Kelly the same gift again this year, we spoke with Adam and Tifani and decided to go in on a gift together. Since we combined forces, we were able to get Kelly the new Epic Mickey 2 Wii game and the corresponding game guide. We were thrilled that he loved it. The smile on his face was priceless. Hopefully, he will have hours of fun playing this game!
After all the gifts were opened, we ate dinner and visited with one another. The kids played together with their new things. We watched movies and just enjoyed spending time together. At one point, I noticed Zachary was not in the TV room with the other kids. I walked around the house, looking for him, when I saw this.....
Zachary was fast asleep...in an empty box. He got a pillow and climbed in, with his "blue blanket", and went to sleep. The poor little guy was such a trooper. He has been so sick for the past few days. What a little sweetheart!
I have to admit, it was really nice to be able to stay and enjoy all of the festivities...without worrying about rushing off to our next activity. If it is put to a vote, I will definitely choose to do "First Christmas" again next year!
Thanks everyone for such a fun day. We love each and every one of you and are so grateful to have you in our lives!
