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A Christmas Like No Other



This was the first Christmas we've ever gotten to celebrate with Mark's kids! We went to Dallas and enjoyed celebrating Christmas with all of my nieces and nephews (on the McIlroy side) together under the same roof. The girls helped me make a birthday cake for Jesus Christmas Eve aft er church and then they sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus before cutting into the cake.  It was magical having them all go to sleep together excitedly waiting the arrival of St. Nicholas.
Sleepy baby the last to wake up Christmas morning (probably because she was the last to sleep)
The cookies Gabby decorated for Santa

The morning of, Uncle Mark refused to even allow the children to peek downstairs before breakfast was cooked.  Then Grandma and Grandpa tortured the children by making them wait until they were finished with breakfast before allowing them to tear into their gifts.  The kids were so excited they could hardly contain themselves.
The kids impatiently waiting to go down the stairs

Descending the stairs, trying to check out the loot
The gifts were passed out to each person and then everyone opened their gifts.  It was an exciting day for all involved.  The adults definitely enjoyed having all of the kids together to celebrate the birth of Jesus.




Grandpa-Behind his tower of gifts













Making the cake for Jesus' birthday









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