Christmas in Z-town

 Saturday night started off with this:

  

followed by this Sunday morning:

Santa had made an early stop at our house because we will not be here on the 25th. And Santa did not disappoint - Gerrit got his MSU football uniform (next year he's hoping for a Lion's uni!), and Emmit got his own set of football guys (no more fighting over Gerrit's!).  (Oma made the Santa sacks and they looked so cute by the stockings! Gerrit even asked if Santa wanted the bags back!) There were some other gifts from mom and dad and everyone enjoyed the morning of opening presents. I think Gerrit liked some that Emmit got and Emmit liked some of Gerrit's! I guess we should just get them the same thing in the future????

Following a busy morning of opening presents involved a busy morning at church for the Christmas program. No, Gerrit did not wear the sweater vest but looked hansom in his tie (thanks again Oma - lots of compliments). He sang and cooperated even if he did not cooperate well at home! He started out looking like the photo in the bottom left which had me wonder if he would cooperate but he did great! Emmit, well, he had to be removed from the sactuary (luckily it was after Gerrit was done singing with his age group).

We had a special visitor come to Gerrit's program too - Uncle Travis! He brought the boys their Christmas gifts too - Emmit a football and Vikes jersey and Gerrit got Lego stuff (which he was not excited to get but when we assembled it, played with it the rest of the day!). 

And to end this post, a picture of the family:

This picture doesn't show it well, but Emmit had a matching tie to Gerrit's and Gerrit's vest was the same color of Emmit's sweater (if only we could get it over his head)! Emmit looked so cute in his sweater and tie! I didn't get any pictures of just him (and I'm kicking myself for this) but will put him in it again and for sure get pictures. (He cooperates better than his older brother when it comes to clothing so I shouldn't have a problem getting the sweater on him again.)

The afternoon was spent assembling the Legos and Playmobil stuff as well as playing with the new toys. I think my fingers will need a break from assembling at the Stremler Christmas party - thankfully Max can take over that duty. 

We like our new little tradition of opening gifts as a family before we head to MI. Makes things a bit hectic getting things ready 'early' but it is worth it. We are able to make our own little family memories and traditions which is the best part (for me anyways - Adam just goes w/ it b/c he knows how important it is for me!)