We celebrated at our house on Wednesday before Christmas before we left town for the grandparents. Santa brought stockings and stuffed animals. A monkey that sings Jingle Bells was the only real item Nadia "asked" for this year - when she saw it her words were, "My Monkey! I got him!" It was a priceless moment. 
Checking out the sparkly, shining lights and ornaments!
Snuggles with Nana
Santa came a couple days early to Nana and Granddaddy's house to bring "a BIKE!" because the weather was gorgeous and because there wouldn't have been much time to ride on Christmas day. Nadia was sooo excited about her pink bike and helmet! She can actually ride using the pedals. 
"I can do it!"
Lydi snoozed through a good bit of the excitement this year, but she was always right there in the middle of it all. 
Working Christmas puzzles - a family tradition
Christmas Eve - we were in Whiteville for the service for the first time ever since being on maternity leave meant I wasn't in charge of the Family service in Augusta. Having the few extra days before Christmas to visit and play was oh so nice. 
Christmas morning! Nadia was so excited. She wasn't quite sure what was coming, but she knew it was exciting! On Christmas Eve night we put out reindeer food and snacks for Santa, and as soon as she woke up she wanted to check on them. 
But before doing anything, there's the tradition of piling on the bed to say the Luke 2 Christmas Story together. Lydi was all smiles.
There was extra room on the bed this year without Alison and Pat there :( but we were so happy to be able to skype with them on Christmas morning as they rode in a truck through Malawi. Yeah for technology! 
Santa brought Nadia a tent and train!
And a baby doll stroller!
Lydi got a talking and dancing dog, a car seat mobile, phone and balls!
There was a package for everyone from Uganda from Al and Pat! It had awesome African gifts for everyone. 
See my awesome necklace? And the Christmas paper chaos? There were African instruments, jewelry, nativities, toys, and art - very very cool!
A farm and ducks that walk!
A very special personal coloring and story book made for Nadia by Uncle Jor. He wrote the story and illustrated the pictures in ink for Nadia to be able to color. 
Nadia checked to see if Santa had eaten his snack and milk - he did!
Christmas afternoon we went to Poppa's to celebrate with Poppa, Aunt Steph, Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Janice.
Nadia playing in my new gigantic laundry basket - good for more than sorting clothes!
Playing with a peek-a-boo doll with Poppa
A jingle bell snowman ornament with the name Nadia printed on it! Who'd have thought you could find a Nadia ornament - way to go Aunt Janice! 
Lydia with Poppa - bright eyes!
Monday we got together with the extended Hinson family - Nadia, Uncle Phil, Jordan, Becca, Lydia, Nana and Granddaddy (back row); Aunt Melanie, Amanda, Olivia, Grandmother and Great Papa (front row)
Nadia loved getting to play with their dog - she really does love dogs!
Fun times with cousins
Nad likes to play "letters" on the computer. She will make letters in a word document, then backspace to clear them off and start again on her own. 
She got all this together on her own - 4+ purses, her baby dolls and stroller, necklace and bracelets, glasses on her head and declared she was "going shopping!"
It was a wonderful first Christmas for Lydi and a fantastic celebration of Christ's birth with family!
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