Christmas is a busy time for the Wharton Family, as I am sure it is for many families. We are still making our own family traditions, but there are a few that we already have. For our family, everything starts in full force on Christmas Eve.

Abby was primping and getting ready for the festivities of the night.

For the last several years, on Christmas Eve, we would head on over to The Oliver home for some Christmas festivities and then head over to Grandpa and Nana’s house for the remainder of the evening. This year we were unable to attend the festivities at the Oliver home, but we still had the chance to spend the evening with Grandpa, Nana, Auntie Brittany and Uncle James for some dinner, presents and of course a lot of laughs.

The girls had a lot of fun opening presents. Ellie made out like a bandit with some adorable outfits from everyone. She also got a sleeping bag with a matching pillow just like Abby’s. Now she has something to snuggle into when she is at Grandpa and Nana’s house. Abby also came home with a few new outfits but the two hits were her Cash Register and her Art Easel. Abby just had to open the cash register right away and play with it. Between that and all of the ripped up wrapping paper to roll around in, Abby kept herself very busy.

After a fun evening we headed home so that the girls could go to bed and sleep. Abby knew about Santa but at this point she still doesn’t understand the whole concept. This made it very easy to get her to bed on Christmas Eve. I know that will change by next year. Once they were in bed and sound asleep, Shaun and I brought out all of our presents and decorated the tree. Yes, the tree stood there completely bare until Christmas Eve. I knew Abby would be all over the ornaments so I left it alone until Christmas Eve. I was kind of nice to have everything completely decorated as a surprise for the morning, so much that I thought about making it a tradition. But then I realized that meant going through most of the Christmas season without a decorated tree and I didn’t like that idea.

The next morning everyone was up bright and early and very excited to see the tree and all of the presents that Santa brought. Abby was amazed at the tree and kept saying “Oh Christmas!” and “Presents!”. That sparkle in her eye as she stared at the tree with all of its ornaments and the presents underneath was priceless. I love Christmas for all of the wonders that it brings, but now to see it through my daughters eyes, I have a whole new love for it.

This year Abby was pretty good about opening presents. She would get distracted from time to time by the ornaments on the tree but for the most part she was excited to open things. Santa brought her quite a bit from clothes, to movies, toys and a few dolls. Ellie also did a great job too. If I tore a little piece to start she would grab it right away and pull hard. Although once unwrapped, Ellie’s toys were secondary to the crinkling and rustling of wrapping paper.

Generally I would not talk about the Christmas gifts I received, but this year was different. Shaun once again out did himself. Through out all of the holiday craziness, I was getting things together for trip out of town after Christmas. We had decided to take a trip up to Mammoth for a few days and then over to San Francisco. It was going to be a much needed getaway.

When it came time to open my present I found a very cute scarf, gloves and a book that after first glance was an itinerary that was approved by Shaun, Santa and some of the North Pole staff. It was extremely cute and clever. Then I had to look through it again and realized that the itinerary wasn’t for our supposed trip to Mammoth and San Francisco, it was for something else. Shaun had tricked me and had quite a few people in on it as well. Instead we were heading to Montana to spend time with my parents and sister! It was the best surprise I could have asked for and made my Christmas. No present would have been better! I do have video of by reaction, but I refuse to post it in a public forum. Sorry! After this surprise I was floating on cloud nine and I couldn’t stop thinking about everything I needed to do. We are leaving for Montana in a day and a half!

In the afternoon, Grandma Zoe came over to open presents and have dinner with us. She brought lots of goodies for all of us and boy were we lucky! Shaun and I loved watching Abby open everything from new clothes, most of which would be very useful in the snow up in Montana, to toys. Grandma Zoe got Abby a cute Monkey backpack for traveling. Better yet was a cleaning set that included a mop, broom, bucket, vacuum and caddy. Now Abby can help mommy clean up her messes around the house! Grandma also got Abby a tricycle, bike helmet and pads. While she doesn’t quite know how to use it , Abby was very excited just to sit on it and ring the bike bell. I know she will be zooming around outside on it in no time!

After dinner it was time to make an appearance at a friends house for a Christmas party and then it was off to bed. We had a lot to do in one day to get ready for our trip!