The Scroggins Family: Christmas in Chicago

After all the craziness of moving and trying to get ready for Christmas, we were finally ready for Christmas morning to arrive. It's fun to see the kids' excitement as they get older and remember things from previous years. I was surprised that Ashlyn is old enough this year to remember some things from last year. We had a wonderful, relaxing day with our family, and even got to talk with some of our family scattered throughout the country.

Our first Chicago Christmas tree ~ all ready for Christmas morning!

Nathan had his work cut out for him on Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas! I love it when the kids come into our room with stockings in hand!


A new scarf to keep her warm

Excited about Legos

The kids were so excited about Daddy's BIG present!

Micah was eager to help Daddy put his new chair together

And Ashlyn was jumped at the opportunity to sit in it with Daddy!

Micah was so excited to get some new Cars cars. He had a bin full of cars that he loved before we left CA and it seems to be the one thing that we just can't find in Chicago, even though the boxes are all empty. Can't figure out where in the world they got lost. But he was happy for a few new ones in their place.

A week before Christmas Ashlyn started asking for a fishing pole for Christmas. So Micah obliged her and she had a ball fishing over the handrail on the stairs.

Ashlyn had fun helping wrap presents and signing her name on them.

Micah was totally thrilled to open the Lego Kingdoms Castle! He couldn't get the box open fast enough.

Last year we sent the kids on a scavenger hunt for one of their gifts. It was greatly enjoyed, so we did it again this year. It worked well for a gift that we had for each of them.

Reading one of his clues

Heading downstairs for to find his gift...

A Lego board fitted over his table!

Now it's Ashlyn's turn for her scavenger hunt...

Micah was eager to read the clues to her

Downstairs for the next clue...

and finding it under a mat

And finally to the room with the gift... her own bed!

Ashlyn was very excited to get her own bed! And Micah was just as excited for her. A new bed for her means his own bedroom!

Checking out the top bunk

After a fun day of playing with new toys we settled down for a yummy Christmas dinner

We thought for sure that it would take Micah a few days to finish his castle, but he had it mostly done by the end of the day! That boy is focused when he wants to be!