joy

How do I possibly choose just a few pictures to highlight from so many wonderful memories? As I sat looking through all of our Christmas pictures, I thought that I needed a theme. What better than pictures that exude the joy of the season. Having children around makes this task much easier. Unfortunately some of our attempts at capturing these excited moments just came out too blurry. If only we could contain our excitement long enough to get a picture in focus. Anyways...here are some of my picks that capture our Christmas of 2009.

Christmas Eve - so much anticipation

Tracking Santa through NORAD. The kids were totally into this. We will definitely have to do this next year.

Christmas morning. Nathaniel was very excited to get painting his firetruck.

Abigail - the queen of excited expressions.

A new electric shaver for Andrew. I was totally not thinking when he opened the container of shaving cream in his stocking.

This was the year of the truck for our boys. They are playing with them every day.

Enjoying Abigail's new MP3 player.

Pictures from Boxing Day with Andrew's side.

Sharing Christmas secrets. I love this photo. It doesn't exactly fall under the joy category, but it tells a great story of sharing between cousins.

I love when the adults get into the joy and excitement of present opening right along with the children.

What a beautiful picture of joy.

Needing a break between opening gifts.

The joy of giving thanks.

There is subdued joy...

and exuberant joy. They are both wonderful.

Surprises are a wonderful thing.

We celebrated with my family on the 27th.

A new tradition began this year. Doing eeny meeny to decide which child gets to open first. Oh, the anticipation to be chosen next!

I think this lollipop was the most exciting for Jesse.

Sharing the excitement of Christmas with cousins and family can't be beat.

His own fishing rod. What joy!

Needing some time outside of the house. This is a special joy for those parents left inside.

The joy of sharing a job together. What a joyous Christmas!