The stockings were hung . . .

not by the chimney, but on the shelf! :) I finished Carolina's stocking just in the "nick" of time - December 23! Plenty of time compared to Lawton's - I was finishing sewing up his on Christmas Eve at around 5:00 for his first Christmas!

Here is Carolina's finished stocking! You see, crazy me started my stocking when I was back in college for my "hope chest". I finished all three of our stockings for Lawton's first Christmas. So, I couldn't very well not make Carolina's, too. Hopefully one day they will really appreciate all the time and love that went into making these needlepoint stockings!

This Christmas Eve was the first time we have not spent with family. Because of different circumstances, we just stayed at home all day and had good family time. (No offense, family, but it was a very enjoyable day just the four of us!)

Here is Lawton putting out reindeer food on our front sidewalk.

This is a picture that Lawton drew for Santa. I think it is a reindeer? I really can't remember because he drew it several weeks before Christmas . . . :)

Here is a picture of the cookies we worked so hard on (see previous post for the cookies and Lawton's pottery plate)


On Christmas Eve, we decided to give the kids our presents. Carolina was so excited to get the Build-a-Bear Lawton made for her! She seriously squealed in excitement! (And it just so happened that Carolina "gave" Lawton his own gift card to make his own bear! )

We gave Lawton this Transformer costume, a doctor's costume and a policeman costume (thanks to the after Halloween clearance sale and Emily getting them for me because we were camping!). The Transformer costume was a hit . . . however the other two still have their tags on them. I have faith though that he will want to wear those too - eventually! :) He immediately tried on his costume and wore it the rest of the night.

We gave Carolina this ?? baby toy. Somehow Lawton never had one!

And here is Lawton giving Chad a bicycle helmet. Chad is planning on getting a bike with some Christmas money for exercise and to ride with Lawton when we go camping. Lawton told Chad that he needed to ask Santa for a bike, too, so that they could ride together. It didn't take much to convince Chad that he needs a bike . . . :)

I gave Chad some desperately needed (and practical) new running shoes - the Brooks Beast is what they are called. And yes, they are a Beast! I love my baby's SIZE 15 SHOE! (I wear a 5 1/2 well, 6 now after two babies, so it will be interesting to see where Lawton and Carolina's shoe size will land! )

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve!