Hoefer Family Christmas

My family celebrated Christmas together on the 26th. After eating breakfast, we marched downstairs in chronological order. Sylvia and Carl were old enough to head down on their own this year. We opened stockings and then Evan, Katie, and Grandpa took turns reading the Christmas story from the Jesus Storybook Bible. Carl threw his clementine just as the story talked about God "flinging the plants into place." The kids helped pass out presents and we opened our first round in order by age. Sylvia had to learn to share the responsibility of handing out gifts. After all the gifts were open, we had a small lunch before nap time. We were able to keep Sylvia on her schedule for the most part over the break which was very nice for her and us.

Sylvia got to open the first gift because she is the youngest. Evan looks interested to see what she got.
Along with not being able to pass out all of the gifts, Sylvia was also limited to helping mommy and daddy open gifts instead of helping everybody.

I guess she did get to help Grandma with a gift too.
I still don't let Sylvia have lots of sweets. I was very impressed with her for asking permission to eat a cookie when they were sitting out on the coffee table.
Taking a ride, with Zander's help, in Grandpa's new Christmas present.

The kids went out and played in the snow after nap time. My parents' neighbors have a small hill that still holds the kids interest. Sylvia enjoyed helping push people down the hill but didn't really like sledding.
Margaret, Zander, Carl (standing), Sylvia, Evan, Katie, and Ben
My mom made a wonderful Christmas dinner and for now we all fit around one table. With two more grandchildren on the way, Christmas should be even more eventful next December.