Cousins' Christmas- 2017 Edition

Cousins' Christmas in Williamsburg was the kick-off to our Winter Break last month, and the kids had been looking forward to it for weeks!  By now, the cousins all know the traditions that accompany their celebration, including "Back to Back" gift opening:

 The cousins shop for each other, and this is one of our favorite parts of Cousins' Christmas to observe as parents, as we watch our children discover the joy of giving:

There were lots of wonderful presents from Bean and Poppy, too, and we all enjoy this special time together (and are a bit in awe when we see a picture the joyful choas of all these family members: human and canine!):

The 3 dog cousins are so much a part of the family now... and sometimes they are photographed more than the children.  I'm especially thankful for these pictures this year:

Playing with their new Christmas presents.  

We had our annual "Birthday Party" for Baby Jesus, and tied in a special celebration for Leah's birthday, too.  Luckily, we had nice weather and there was lots of playing outside, which was fun for the kiddos:

It was a wonderful Winterhoff weekend celebration together.  How we love and treasure Cousins' Christmas!

PA Christmas

We arrived at Mimi's house in Pennsylvania on Christmas Eve afternoon, and were very excited about Santa's arrival that night.  We watched tracking updates, and sure enough, the jolly old guy was right on schedule: 

We attended Christmas Eve church, and as we walked outside after the service, snowflakes were falling.  Sometimes, timing is everything.  The children posed for pictures with Mimi and Grandpa, and spread their reindeer food in the front yard:

 L&L made their cookie plate for Santa, and taste tested "one or two" cookies.  Leah also wrote Santa a note, and Daddy read Twas the Night Before Christmas:

Leah's special present from Santa was a Minion pinball machine, while Luke asked for the SuperLoop Speedway (slot car racetrack):

On Christmas morning, these two were READY!

Seeing what Santa brought!

We checked out the gifts that Santa left in our stockings, had breakfast, and opened presents:

There were lots of special gifts this year.  Luke was especially excited about his special Harry Potter wand.  I love that Christmas is still magical for my children, and pray that it may always be:

Even Miss Winnie mustered the strength to open her presents on Christmas day, and she was lying down in the middle of all the action, not wanting to miss a thing.  How precious these memories are to me now:

After a full, fun Christmas day, we all slept well.  Merry Christmas!