Christmas Day - On Both Sides of the World

Christmas has come and gone once more ...

and these posts begin to have a familiarity about them.

One change that we really appreciate
is the ease of face time on What's App.
We watched our far away family open gifts
on our Christmas Eve - their Christmas.
Most gifts were a surprise even to us,
as it's been so long since I packed them.

Tradition says that Christmas afternoon begins with appies.

Papa reads a Christmas story.

Oops ... this time there was no concert from the kids.

They said we had watched them at school. ... and at the cabin.

True, but not sure if we'll let them get off so easy next time.

Then ... from youngest to oldest ...

the kids open their gifts.

We all love to watch.

As soon as everyone is done ...

or maybe even before ...

some sneak off to play with their  new toys ...

Pretty much the same as always ...

but the last time in this house.

I took a photo of the kids' around the table.

They ate and scooted downstairs, 

while we (adults) had our own dinner

and dragged out our gift opening.

My favorite night of the year ...

When everyone with their belongings
 had to be gathered for the homegoing ...
this was the scene we came upon in the family room.
And that about sums up how we all felt.
Blissfully content and ready for a good sleep.

♡♡♡