A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! My family was willing to travel to us Christmas Day (in severe weather at that - thank y'all!) so we hosted Christmas lunch at our house and it was fabulous. It certainly made me appreciate the other side of what goes into hosting - as I've never hosted a big holiday gathering before. However, it was easy because everyone pitched in a brought a dish and it is was a yummy meal!
We started off Christmas Eve with our church play that is all about the birth of baby Jesus. If you don't know - the Cain ladies love some baby Jesus. This was Caroline's first time attending the play and Catherine Ellis was old enough to be in the play this year - she was a star (how appropriate!) and did beautifully. In fact, she pitched quite the hissy when she realized the play was over and she had to leave the limelight (David, anyone?!?). She recovered and we had a WILD Christmas Eve service alongside every other family in our church and over 100 children - it felt like we'd run a marathon when it was over, but it's always so worth it.
Daddy and Caroline waiting on the Christmas play to start
Our "Star" in the play - she did a great job!
We came home to a yummy dinner and made cookies for Santa - a fun tradition that I started with CE when she was one - it's always a good time and who doesn't love sugar right before bedtime?!
Quality assurance testing :)
Our pretty tree!
Christmas Eve was a big day for us apparently because Catherine Ellis
slept until 8:00 a.m. (notice, no mention of C here because she was up
at the crack.of.dawn), but once she got up the fun began and they ripped
into Santa's loot that he'd left behind after reading their note from
him:
Love their expressions at the note that Santa left ... so sweet!
Dollhouse from Santa
Belt - this child is long and lean and needs all the help
she can get keeping her britches up!
Building blocks - of course they are pink!
Unwrapping fun
So excited!
Dora the Explorer goodies!
Stocking stuffer fun
Christmas morning
HA - Caroline is such a ham!
Next up the arrival of Meme, Uncle Drew and Aunt Kim for the day. We were all very excited for them to come and spend the day with us - the girls showed off all their new toys and then dug into round three for them - goodies from Meme and Uncle Drew and Aunt Kim: 
A toiletries bag from Meme - Mommy was super excited about this!
Matching headphones from Meme
SO excited about her Scooter from Meme!
Big and tall on the scooter
Sissy had to give it a try too (much to big sissy's dislike!)
Nalgene water bottles - Mommy was excited about this one too!
Over sippy cups around here!
Meme getting her photo calendar - always a favorite!
Playing with their easel from Aunt Kim and Uncle Drew - a big hit!
A final shot of all the madness and fun - we had a blast!
Love, love this post -- such joy!!
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