When I look back at this Christmas 50 years from now, this will certainly be one of the most favorite of all time. We are so incredibly blessed.

We watched the kids mingle with family who take joy in what others might find annoyances, such as Mason's new Wet Willie trick that Uncle Mike taught him, or Kenzie's obsession with showing off her cat to everybody. Repeatedly.

We got to watch little Emily open her pink shiny cowboy boots that we bought her with such sweet and quiet enthusiasm, then wear them all night with her Christmas gown.

Grandpa Bob got Mason's first race car track running, then we all got to take turns putting the match box cars on the hyper-speed loopitee-doo, or whatever you call it.

We got to clean up 100 balls at least a dozen times. That bag of balls was Grampy's proudest gift. Mason opened the present, then immediately opened the bag and turned it upside down. Kenzie's favorite trick is to watch them bounce individually down the stairs. The kittens like that too.

We went to a small church service where Kenzie read into the microphone for the first (and certainly not the last) time. We hugged a couple of people who would leave that service to spend the night alone on the street. Kenzie donned angel wings and her innocence brought smiles to faces in the crowd. Mason walked up to one homeless woman, right hand extended, shook her hand and said, "Mewwy Cwristmas!!" It didn't appear to be the reception she's used to. We lit candles and sang Christmas songs in the dark. We listened to a Vietnam Veteran play his violin in harmony.

Both sets of grandparents came over to spend time alone watching the kids open their presents, then hand them to the grandpas to put together.

Our new neighbors brought us all presents and continue to help us feel welcome in this new town.

Our dear friend Gabe stopped by and spent part of Christmas Eve with us.

Our friend Scott, a former neighbor, donned a red suit to continue the magic. Kenzie's friend Mia was able to come over very spur-of-the-moment as we all felt a bit like a kid again.

We watched a new path be worn in our new hardwood floors. We call it the "scooter path."

Kenzie wondered all day about how Santa got down from our roof to the front porch, how the reindeer landed on our roof, and if "Santa is both a real person and magic -- how can that be?" (And stated the obvious, "that guy's too big to fit in that fireplace.")

We even had a few snow flurries today.

What can be better than seeing the magic of Christmas through the eyes of a five and three year old?