Christmas Morning

We've always been at Riley's parents' house for Christmas morning, but this year we were the only ones there.  It was definitely different, but the kids sure enjoyed having tons of space to make their messes!

Santa was good to them both!  He brought Paisley a Mega Bloks elephant parade and Ollie got a marble run.  The marble run was a big hit!

Mommy and Daddy have gotten away with getting the kids very little for Christmas since they are so young.  This year we did get them a few things - among the favorites were Llama Llama books.

Grandma and Grandpa gave Ollie a Nerf gun that he was thrilled about!

We spent the morning relaxing and just hanging out.  We moved the marble run to the counter to keep Paisley from destroying it... then she of course talked any adult she could into putting her up on the counter.  I mean really, how could you say no to her?

Christmas Eve Tradition + Matching Family Jammies

Ollie made reindeer food at preschool so when we got back to Riley's parents' house we had to sprinkle it outside.  I think most of it ended up on the bottom of his dress pants and all over his shoes!

We continued with the tradition we started at Oliver's very first Christmas with new jammies and reading The Night Before Christmas.

Paisley was tired and over everything so Ollie handled opening them up.  This year was extra special because I found jammies for the whole family last year for 90% off!

Riley is often less than thrilled about my ideas ... family jammies for Christmas Eve tops that list, but he begrudgingly obliged with a fake smile plastered on his face!

(This photo was later shown at Riley's work sale meeting.  I laughed when he told me...he didn't seem as amused!)

Midnight Mass (also known as Bedtime Church)

It wouldn't be Christmas without my favorite Christmas tradition, Midnight Mass or as Ollie called it this year, Bedtime Church.  Unlike when we were kids, it wasn't at midnight, but at 8:00pm this year which was totally fine with me as it was already enough past their bedtime.

I love everyone singing Silent Night by candlelight and the kids loved each having their own candle.  In past years we had real candles which I preferred, but these battery operated ones were much more kid friendly.

Of all the cool things done at Midnight Mass nothing compares to Santa's arrival.  He kneels before Baby Jesus in the manger and leaves as quietly as he came.  It is simply the best and gets me every time!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was the same as it has always been which means lunch in Meriden followed by Christmas at my parents' house.

Again, I failed on the photo taking end of things... other than these few from Rhonda's in Meriden, I didn't get any others.  I guess we were too busy being in the moment and I'm ok with that!

Christmas Eve Eve

This year we celebrated Christmas with Riley's side of the family a bit early.  With Christmas falling on a Tuesday this year it just worked out better that way.  It was odd doing it as our first Christmas, but still just as good as always ... well sort of...

Paisley stood in the middle of the living room about 30 minutes into present opening and started throwing up.  After a brief intermission, wardrobe changes for three of us, and carpet cleaning by dear Aunt Heidi, we were ready to begin again.  She'd been having a lot of drainage so we attributed it to that, but she threw up several more times throughout the day.

Due to all the chaos of our little puker, I was busy getting in my baby snuggles and didn't get many photos.  Here are a few that I did manage to snap:

I was disappointed to miss Ollie's reaction to opening up Soggy Doggy.  It was at the top of his list!  Grandma and Grandpa got it for him and there was nothing but pure excitement and joy as he was opening it up.  So cute!

Christmas Party at Preschool / Polar Express Day

The last couple days before Christmas Break are always a bit chaotic at preschool.  Everyone is so excited for what is to come.  We always have our Christmas Party as well as the much aniticipated Polar Express Day.  Here are a few snap shots of my favorite preschooler enjoying the festivities.

Ollie was proudly one of the few to eat all his popcorn and drink all his hot chocolate during Polar Express Day. 

Christmas Baking

Christmas baking with my Aunt Rhonda has been a tradition for several years.  I've hosted in Westmoreland and Clay Center, but this year I passed the torch and we gathered at Rhonda's new house.

As always it was great and Rhonda went above and beyond with these adorable shirts!

Originally I was going to bring both kiddos since Riley had to work Saturday morning.  Papa to the rescue!  We met in Holton and I hopped in with my mom and gave my dad the van and the kids :)

Pais got a shirt and might I say she looks adorable in it!  I'm kinda hoping it still fits her next year... and at the rate she is growing, it just might, haha!

Family Photos

Back at the end of October, I had entered a Facebook contest for a free mini photo session that was being given away as a part of a five year anniversary milestone.  I simply liked and shared a post from "Shutterbug by Sheridan."  I teach with Sheridan's mom and knew her through her mom.

I had originally planned on having my parents help us with some photos to put on our Christmas card this year, but luckily I was the winner!  We've never had professional family photos taken so I was ecstatic to have this opportunity.  At the same time, I was also nervous.  When we have taken pictures in the past, it was usually my sister taking them.  That meant that if the kids were having meltdowns or weren't into it, we could try again later.  This mini session, however, was 30 minutes start to finish.  Now I wasn't thinking that a longer amount of time would have helped any because they usually have had enough after about twenty minutes.  I was just unsure if we would have cooperating kids at some point during those thirty minutes!

Anyway, we took photos the first weekend in November and it was chilly!  Paisley was working on a new tooth and was in a mood.  She was not her normal smiley self, but we managed to get a little grin or two.  Ollie sometimes struggled to look at the camera.  He was cooperative and didn't whine.

I'm happy with how they turned out and Sheridan was great to work with.  So without further ado, I present to you The Richling Family:

This one cracks me up.  This was at the very end and he was cold and tired of smiling.  He looks like some little 'ol frozen homeless kid. 

This one also cracks me up!  Kids were done!