Love Comes Easy: Playing Santa Claus

We had lots of Christmas traditions as a child. My favorite tradition was every Christmas eve, all us Krier children would pile into one of the bedrooms and camp out, all of us. The older kids got the beds, while the younger ones would snuggle on the floor in a huge pile of blankets and pillows. Christmas eve my brother and I (being the youngest two) always had the hardest time falling asleep from the excitement knowing that in just a few short hours we would be sliding down the stairs to find all the treasures that 'Santa Claus' left us to find. We'd wake up at 6 and attempt to wake our parents and always get the same response. Go back to sleep, for just a few more hours. When we did finally manage to persuade all the older siblings and our parents to get out of bed, we'd line up on the stairs, still snuggled in blankets then scoot down to discover all the presents.
I still have the fondest memories of Christmas at my mom's house. I can remember Aaron and I's first Christmas as a married couple there was a small part of me that was so sad I wouldn't be waking up at my parents house Christmas morning for the first time.
What I failed to understand in my youth however, was that as fun as Christmas is as a child, it becomes so much more fun and meaningful as a parent. I know now that playing Santa is much more fun than waiting for him. As tired as I was, waking up in the middle of the night to stuff the boy's stockings and line up their presents to see the look on their faces the next day was so rewarding, even if Santa Claus was the one that got all the credit.
The babies are too young to really care, but they did love to play with the wrapping. Hendrix, although was overjoyed. We woke the boys up around 8:30am to open presents. Hendrix did most of the opening while the babies just played in the mess of tissue and bows. We played with all the new toys from Santa for a few hours before bundling up and heading out into the cold to visit our families. Christmas eve we went to Aaron's dad's for Christmas, so Christmas day we first ventured off to Aaron's Grandparents on his mom's side for lunch, and stopped by my sisters on the way home for supper. The boys were so spoiled, they are so loved.

Baby Max cuddled with dad waiting to go down stairs for presents Christmas morning!

Hendrix is still so sleepy.

Henri's favorite gift from us.

Maxton was most interested in the cereal snacks he got in his stocking.

NOM NOM NOM!!

The boys are ready for camping this summer!

This wheely bug we got for all the boys, thinking that Hendrix would play with it now and the babies would eventually grown into it. But Bennett really took to it right away. He absolutely loves it, it is hilarious! He loves pushing it around the house, likes to play with the antenna, and is so pleased if we set him on it and give him a ride. I'm glad one of the boys took to it so well.