Christmas 2017 part 1.

Merry Christmas! It truly was a great time. Kley and I commented that it was one of our favorite Christmases ever and the pacing of it was great. And it was Lucy and Ellory's first Christmas, and Norah is old enough to really understand, anticipate, and enjoy, so it all around was just so fun! What great reason to celebrate because of His birth and our families are great to celebrate with!

Thursday night we had the big gathering with Kley's mom's side, and Friday night with Kley's dad's side, and Saturday was our big Christmas celebration with the immediate De Jong family. We are so grateful for all of our family. It's so special to celebrate with all the different generations and groups. 

I love these pictures with my girls! They sure got some fun new toys!

It was declared that the De Jong celebration was pajama day, and Norah happily obliged. She'd wear her pajamas all day every day if we'd let her. (And she really does, if we don't have to go anywhere!)

Watching Toy Story, one of Norah's presents. I think she asked what was happening about every 30 seconds. She is really observant and sensitive to what she watches! Whenever there was any sad part or worry that Buzz and Woody weren't going to make it back to Andy, she said she didn't want to watch anymore, and we had to reassure her they were going to make it.

(We also made the mistake of letting her watch the first part of Home Alone and she was traumatized that they forgot Kevin. We were thinking she would just play and not really pay attention to it, but she paid way too close of attention and I had to take her to go do something else. We had to reassure her many times that we weren't going to forget her! And they don't speak very nicely to each other- definitely not three year old appropriate! Parenting fail.)

Opening presents- Norah was very excited about her new double stroller for her dolls!

Ellory and Papa!

I love this picture of me and Ellory. I want to do a better job of taking pictures with my girls individually! (I think Lucy was playing in the basement with someone, which is why there aren't any of her.)

Every Christmas has been fun, but it's great when they get old enough to really enjoy it!

Kley's pumped about his planer, some woodworking tool that I don't understand.

Finishing Toy Story after supper/presents.

Love these family shots!

Norah is 3 and Lucy and Ellory are 10 months. Love my girls!

Kley's sister/BIL had Christmas with his family, so we had Christmas day just to ourselves, which was perfect after a busy few days and was nice to have time to celebrate just the 5 of us. We made eggs and cinnamon rolls for brunch.

Opening Norah's stocking.

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas! Praise God for sending our Savior!