~ Christmas Day ~

"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmastime." 💚Laura Ingalls Wilder

When I was looking through my photos of Christmas morning I look for that O N E... that one that has all of my feelings all stored up in it. And this is it... this was my favorite... girls in swishy white nightgowns, that antique table right in the middle of them, brown paper packages tied up with white ribbon, the pure joy on Anna's face... read on and I'll show you why...



It is difficult to find the words to describe Christmas morning so I will choose just one: magical. It was simply magical.

The fireplace was blazing, the candles in their brass candlestick holders were glowing, and that oil painting of Santa set the stage.



The lighting was just perfect for my favorite six hours of the whole year. Soft sunlight was shining in the windows. {If I could order weather, it would of course be cloudy, freezing cold with snow fluttering down}



This is the scene my girls walked into on Christmas morning...

















"Imagination is the main weapon in the war against reality," ❤ C.S. Lewis

I dream up this scene all year long and when I first see what Santa has done, I could cry...









The gift tags were stamped in cursive with white ink. So elegant I thought - those elves really know me.





And the sweetest little Christmas tree on that antique white table was filled with the prettiest birds. It was the first thing they saw when they walked in.











Noel was awake and ready -- this was his third Christmas so of course he knew what to expect



Scott and I stood behind the tree, kind of peeking out. Scott recording and me with my big camera...

This is what we've always done, it's all they've ever known.

Anna's eyes straight for the sweet little birdie Christmas tree ~ Abigail's eyes looking at the huge pink bean bags.



but then quickly she loved that little tree.



But can you see something hidden behind the tree? Just a little something peeking out? A little magic perhaps.





Yes, you can! Behind that birdie tree was a new friend for Noel our little yellow bird, a new baby that Santa named Mistletoe.

He was trembling and breathing a little quick ~ only 3 months old.







"Nothing much happens unless you believe in it, and believing there is hope for the world in a way to move toward it." Gladys Taber 💕

And then they saw him -- and this is what happened next. Those are the Christmas morning eyes I look forward to all year long.



And there were screams of joy... as I'm sure our new baby bird thought, 'where am I'?





I have stared at these photos over and over. Pure joy.





Anna so in love.



And I love how Abigail looks to her big sister for it to feel real.



"Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies!" 💚 Frank Church 








Anna can't take her eyes off of him.


Look how handsome he is in his Christmas morning smile 💛



It was so good this Christmas morning so far that the girls wanted to 'walk in' again. So they did!





She cried



While her face was full of love (and Santa in the background looked on)



"It is good to be children sometimes, & never better than at Christmas." ❤ Charles Dickens 



And this is the way they were for the next 30 or so minutes. Not a present around their feet could pull them from this spot.









Hand fed and trained just like Noel came to us - this new Christmas baby was ready for cuddles and love.



After so much time went on we needed to break for breakfast.  Ahhhhhh tea time! 🤍





Piping hot tea -- can you see the steam coming out of the teapot?



Christmas tea cake that I made ahead and froze -- I only make this for Christmas morning so it's really special to us. It's the kind that filled with fruit and spices, so so good!















We had a yummy egg casserole too -- sauteed the onion the night before and had the eggs all ready to whip and put in the pan. So easy!





We lingered for a long time and then it was time for stockings.





I know that Christmas morning faces are only once a year so I try to capture as many as I can that morning to hold on to in my heart.













Some things the girls have been wanting for a long time...



...others are surprises!









Little things and pretty things are all a part of Christmas too.





I love when gifts stir up memories like our trip to the Vermont Country Store so long ago and these crackers that Abigail was sampling in the store that day. Santa ordered this time later!









And this... she has no idea, none



Now she does!



























Daddy had to help her get it out of the box.





And we all watched her like this for a while. She's smitten



Under my breath I said, just stay little, just stay little, just stay little. Dolls do that ya know, I'd never say no to a doll. Ever.



Merry Christmas baby girl



While Abigail still holds on to bits of being little while growing up, Anna asked for clothes this year. "skirts and matching blouses"



Into the family room for gifts to each other.





They look on so excited to give daddy their gift



A whisper and a secret...





This was kind of a joke gift from out trip to Vermont in the fall. We were all laughing at that 'loud' bathrobe in the store but the girls bought it and let me tell you it has been worn all this cold December week!







Sisters









A book, always a book









Same look on their face opening a 'together gift'



And then around 3:30 we got to my parents house -- I took a few when we just got there and then put my camera down to enjoy the most amazing Christmas dinner and family!











"Every Christmas is better than the Christmas before," Laura thought. "I guess it must be because I'm growing up." Laura Ingalls Wilder 





"The best gifts are ties with heartstrings." 





Oh how I adore Christmas. And even as we begin to take things down and pack them away I just can't be sad. Because it will come again. Just next year.

Merry Christmas dear and precious family. You are my Christmas dreams come true.