Christmas with the Ruckus. 2012

Christmas this year was extra special for the Rollins family. Not that every other Christmas was terrible, we just were able to spend a little more time relaxing this year and enjoying our little family. We went snow skiing with my family the week before Christmas and had a absolute blast (post coming soon)! We got back the evening of the 23rd and Santa came to our house that night! We always go to Wewoka for lunch on Christmas day, which makes for a rushed Christmas morning with two toddlers opening Santa gifts. Last year I felt as if we didn't get to enjoy a relaxing Christmas morning as a family because we were rushing around trying to get ready for Christmas lunch. Santa came to the lake house last year and it was a mess trying to haul all of the toys back to Shawnee. Having Santa come a day early on Christmas Eve worked out so much better for us this year! 

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I let Reid pick out the kids' matching Christmas pajamas this year and he couldn't wait to dress up like Santa Claus! The night before Santa came I surprised them with the Santa beards and monogrammed hats. They couldn't wait to get all their Kris Kringle gear on. I must admit, these were my favorite Christmas pajamas yet! 

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Christmas 2011

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Christmas 2012

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HO HO HO!

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On Christmas Eve morning, I cooked cinnamon rolls and the kids tore into their packages as fast as they could! 

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LilliAnn was get this super excited look on her face and say, "I wonder what it's gonna be?"

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Books! This girl LOVES to read! She will just sit in the floor and "read" to herself, making up the sweetest little stories. 

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Reid got several Imaginext pieces to go with his Batcave.

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This is the letter that Santa left...

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LilliAnn LOVED the princess barbie collection. She said, "Now I have all the princesses!" Her favorite being Cinderella, of course.

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I think I liked them even more than she did! I really didn't want her to play with them because she messes up their hair, but Jeb was like, "How can you not let her play with her Christmas presents?!"

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She put on her princess crown, new Cinderella necklace, and went into the playroom to read her new Caillou books. 

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And Reid was pretty pumped about his new giant Batman!

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One of our favorite gifts...Pop the Pig!

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Of course, we had to play it!

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My kids love to play with Duplo Legos so they got several new sets for Christmas.

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Battleship! "Mom, how'd you know I've been wanting this?!"

Reid is really into games right now.

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Cinderella slippers

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Reid watches Space Jam almost every day. When he found out that Michael Jordan used to play for the Chicago Bulls, he asked for a Michael Jordan jersey and a Bulls basketball for Christmas.

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I got both of the kids monogrammed, Pottery Barn hooded bath towels and I am in love with them! They are super soft, not to mention ADORABLE,  and the kids have been using them after every bath!! Reid got the blue shark and LilliAnn got the pink unicorn. 

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Favorite stocking stuffers? Cinderella and Thunderstruck with Kevin Durant!

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Reid has been asking for a police officer uniform because his daddy used to be a police officer. Reid thought handcuffing his daddy was so much fun! I think Jeb enjoyed being on the other side of things...this time!

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Santa did good!

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One of LilliAnn's favorite gifts was her Cinderella carriage. She had been asking for a Cinderella carriage "that turned into a pumpkin." I thought I would never be able to meet this request, but...

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What did I find? A Cinderella carriage THAT TURNS INTO A PUMPKIN!

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Look how big she's getting! 

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Christmas 2011 & Christmas 2012

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Santa bellies!

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Silly Santa!

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On Christmas Eve we went as a family to our Christmas Eve candlelight service at church in Seminole. It was a wonderful service and I loved watching the kids hold their candles and sing Christmas carols. 

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Lil was getting tired and wasn't in much of a picture taking mood!

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My handsome boy!

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LilliAnn loves looking at Nativity scenes. We have one for made just for kids at our house and they played with it every day. We talked about the meaning of Christmas and the story behind the Nativity scene. This year Reid is starting to understand why we celebrate Christmas, and as a mother, that makes my heart happy!

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After our church service, we headed to the lake to Papa Glenn and Grandma Lucy's house. Someone special was waiting there!

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Joss & Lil were more interested in the candy than in the big guy in red!

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Our attempt at a group photo

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It was time to say goodbye to Santa because next we were going on a Christmas Eve hayride! Papa Glenn put hay bales on a trailer and decorated it with lights and even a fully decorated Christmas tree! Eighteen of our family members piled on the trailer and Papa's Kubota pulled us around Wewoka Lake while we sang Christmas carols. It really was a magical night and a perfect way to capture the spirit of Christmas. We all really hope can can continue this tradition next year!

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We always go to my great-uncle Doyle and great-aunt Patsy's house for lunch on Christmas day. We've been doing this since I was about two and I've never missed a year! 

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Mimi was trying to read to Lil, but she was being a little busy bug!

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Reid spent most of his time with Jett...playing pool! He's so serious about his shot!

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cute cousins!

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The kids both looked adorable that day! We attempted a family photo, but we were in a hurry to get to Ada so it didn't work so well :(

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About fifty of the Cook family joined hands in the kitchen to pray before our meal. I love this Christmas tradition!

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LilliAnn played us a little piece. When I told her it was time to go, she said, "Just one more."

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Next, it was on to Ada to Papa Jeff and Nana Robin's house.

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Reid and Jett loved their new Russell Westbrook jerseys and new basketballs!

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Sissy's favorite gift was the princess tent. Her and Josslynn played in it the entire day!

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The guys were arguing over who was taller...and then Jeb pointed out that Josh was standing on his tippy toes!

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Uncle Josh was giving LilliAnn a hunting lesson with his new turkey call!

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Papa Jeff and his girls!

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This means it was time to go home! It had been a long day!!

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It started snowing as we were heading to Papa Jeff's house. We got the white Christmas that we had been hoping for, although we didn't get as much snow in Shawnee as they did in Ada. On our way to the car, the boys just had to have one snowball fight!

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"Snow" much fun!!!

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When we got back to the lake, we had Christmas dinner at Grandma Lucy's house and opened presents. After the exchange was over, we walked back down to our lake house to have Christmas with my mom, dad, and brother. It was a very, very busy day!

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LilliAnn got a princess unicorn to ride and Reid got an Imaginext knight castle! 

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2012 was wonderful Christmas! It is always a very busy time for us, but we enjoy every second of it! We loved getting to spend a day a home this year, enjoying Christmas with just our little family. Until next holiday season...blessings for a wonderful new year from the Ruckus!