In The Hartland: Christmas 2018

We wrapped up our Christmas season today after several weeks of parties, activities, and events. It was a good month full of many wonderful activities. In addition, it was extra special this year being pregnant with our fourth and final baby. I know I have said this before, but Christmas season always feels so much more magical when I am carrying a baby inside of me. It was bitter sweet knowing that this was my last time being pregnant during a holiday season, but at the same time, I am so grateful for this wonderful gift that Heavenly Father has given our family and me.
As always, we made the trip up to Issaquah on Christmas Eve to celebrate at my parent's house with both Chris' and Eric's family. We ate the traditional turkey dinner before having our Christmas program complete with the kids acting out the nativity story and my dad lighting the candles on the tree. We made the drive home and got the kids tucked into bed before Ron and I laid out all of the Santa gifts in the living room for Christmas morning. Luckily, the children slept in past 7 o'clock before coming into our room to wake us up. We then spent a fun morning watching the kids discover and play with their Santa gifts before letting them open one gift from under the Christmas tree and eating our traditional, Christmas breakfast. We then took turns opening up the rest of our gifts under the tree before eating lunch and watching an afternoon movie. My parents stopped by on their way home after visiting both Eric's and Chris' families. We enjoyed a nice visit with them and exchanged gifts. The highlight had to be watching Logan's reaction as Ron and my dad carried in the one big gift that grandpa gives to all of his grandsons--his very own train set complete with Lionel model trains. It is huge and is currently taking up most of the office, but Logan is thrilled about it! Hopefully, this gift will provide many hours of entertainment for both Logan and Emmett in the years to come. After my parents left, Ron helped me make our traditional, Filipino feast for dinner. We enjoyed eating in the dining room before Ron took the kids upstairs to get ready for bed while I cleaned up the kitchen. Overall, it was just a wonderful way to spend these two special days with our children.

Our annual family photo in front of my parent's tree on Christmas Eve.

The kiddos and me.

Lia, Ella, and some other family members ringing their bells under Aunt Natalee's direction.

A close-up of our cutie.

Logan happily ringing his blue and orange bell.

Lia giving me a smile.

Silly Ella posing with her bells before putting them away.

Ella insisted on being one of the angels for the nativity story. I just thought she looked so cute in this costume that I had to get a picture of her in front of the tree before the kids started acting out the story.

Lia got to be Mary and Logan got to be Joseph this year. Here they are standing in front of the "manger" complete with a baby doll.

The kids acting out the story. Besides our three, Brynn and Garrett were shepherds and Riley was the other angel.

Then the "stars" entered the story played by Vivi and Callie. I just love how everyone is looking up at them in this picture.

A group shot after the nativity story was finished.

A shot of our three darling children before taking off their costumes.

The magical Christmas tree all lit up with candles.

Lia snuffing out one of the candles after we were done singing Christmas carols.

Ella taking a turn snuffing out a candle.

Lia's Santa gifts laid out on "her couch" Christmas morning before the kids came downstairs.

Ella's Santa gifts...

next to Logan's gifts.

In addition to the Santa gifts, we also put out this fairy and gnome table that Ron had secretly made the past few weekends in his shop. It turned out so beautiful and I am so grateful to him for spending the time to make it as I have been collecting these fairy and gnome toys over the past few years whenever I have seen them go on clearance at Michaels. Ella and Logan were absolutely smitten with it and have already spent quite a bit of time playing with it together.

All three children running down the stairs Christmas morning to see their Santa presents for the first time!

Ella holding up her new, princess/Santa nightgown.

Logan opening up the little box containing his custom-made, pirate ornament.

Lia posing next to her loot.

Ella opening up her one gift under the tree before breakfast--an Anna set from the Disney movie, Frozen.

Logan showing off his new pirate peg people toys that he opened up as his first gift of the morning.

Lia opening up her American Girl Doll gift from Aunt Austin and Uncle Robbie.

Logan checking out the fairy/gnome table for the first time.

Ella immediately wanted to color a few of her stained glass pictures from one of her new coloring books.

The kids and I enjoying our Christmas breakfast in the dining room.

All three children standing in front of the Christmas tree before they began passing out all of the gifts.

Mommy and the kids together in front of the tree.

Ella showing off her new Tinkerbell shoes. I just love how she posed for this picture all on her own. What a model!

Ella getting ready to open a gift.

Logan proudly showing off his new Star Wars, Lego set.

Lia opening up another gift.

Papa taking a turn.

After we were all done opening up the gifts under the tree, the kids were able to open up one large, group gift that had been wrapped and sitting next to the Christmas tree for over two weeks. Due to its size, all three kids had been quite fascinated with it--especially since it was for all three of them. After they opened it, they discovered this awesome, large fruit stand from Lea Clark's collection--the American Girl Doll of the Year 2016. I was able to buy this large piece from her collection about 1.5 years ago when it went on clearance for an amazingly low price and have been waiting for the right moment to give it to our children. They were all so excited! Here are all three kids playing with it together.