Oh the Places They'll Go: Christmas Time!

I've said it at least 10 times and I'll say it one more time-this holiday season has FLOWN by! I can't believe how fast it was Thanksgiving and getting our tree, to already over and time for birthdays (Matt, Emma and Luke!) We started out the holiday season planning on cutting back a little and I swear there were twice as many presents under the tree than last year.
Christmas Eve was spent getting ready for our annual dinner with Roger, Katelyn, Blair, Mom, Rob, Elle and Christine. Matt decided that we should have filets for dinner and he got the biggest ones I've ever seen! Christine and Elle came over that morning to let the girls decorate some gingerbread cookies. I wish I had gotten a few pictures because it was hilarious! Emma was having fun with the sprinkles and ate arms and heads off quite a few of the cookies before they were decorated. Matt had to run out for some last minute shopping while I got the house in order. Everyone came over around 6 and we had a few apps and then the main course of our amazing steaks. Emma was getting so excited for Santa (Matt said he saw him flying in the sky) but was so sleepy. She couldn't make it to the end of Christmas Vacation, so we put her to bed and got to work. Santa spoiled that little girl rotten and toys just kept coming out! Matt and I were both exhausted and went to sleep anxious for her reactions in the morning.
Christmas Day started with coffee and cinnamon rolls-then we peeked into Emma's room and she was passed out. Doodle-her Elf-left her a pink Barbie tree in her room and when she spotted it, she popped right up. She finally realized that Santa came and was anxious to see what she got. The first thing she saw was her princess tent, sleeping bag and flashlight-she ran over to them and wanted to climb in and zip it up. She played for a few minutes before we were able to co-horse her out and showed her everything Santa brought her. It was game on after that-there was present after present after present! Matt and I both kept saying how we didn't remember getting all these for her but she was loving opening them all. There were two things she had talked about for over a month-a car for her Barbie's and a set of 6 fairy dolls from the Tinkerbell movie. Every time we went to Target she would see them and talk about Santa bringing them for her. Of course, we saved those until the end and she squealed and squealed when she opened them and was so excited to play with them. Mom and Dad got a little spoiled too and we couldn't forget getting some things for Luke's first Christmas, although we knew he would've been just as happy with the wrapping paper.
Before we knew it, we were out the door headed to Nana's for lunch. There was more than enough food and then it was present time again! Emma was having a great time with Marley tearing into more stuff and didn't even care what the present was-she just liked opening things. She helped us open a few things too. Then it was time to head out to Grandma's house and everyone had already opened their presents by the time we got there. Although, the amount that was still under the tree just for us was a TON! Our finally stop was to Grandmommy's and at this point, Emma had opened so many presents she was starting to become less than impressed with doing anything other than just playing. She did play Candy Land for a few minutes with us.
Emma and Luke both fell asleep on the way home and when we arrived home to unload everything, they had both gotten a second wind and started playing with their many new toys. I don't think Emma still realizes everything she got for Christmas yet.