Merry, Merry Christmas

Our family had such a wonderful Christmas. It was busy, but I'd have to say it was the best one we've had so far. The kids really understood it much better, and it was so fun to see Christmas through their eyes.

Christmas Eve
For Christmas Eve, we went to Christian's family to hang out, eat pasties (a pastry with meat and potatoes inside and a tradition of his grandfathers) and open just a few gifts. Doesn't the Christmassy Jello look yummy?



After our time there, we hurried home to get everything ready for Santa. We put out milk and cookies and left the reindeer food Makenna made at preschool, got in our pajamas and read the 'Twas the Night before Christmas. The kids were really excited and had lots of trouble falling asleep. Makenna was up from 3am-5am because she couldn't wait for morning. She was just giddy!!

Christmas Day

Christmas morning, I carried the kids down the stairs with their eyes shut so they could see what Santa brought at the same time. They were in awe!! Santa brought them both bicycles!! They wondered how he knew they wanted them when they forgot to ask. Santa just knows!


He also brought Camden a new train, which I would say Camden is now obsesed about!

Makenna got a Tinker Bell doll and cradle, among many more gift for both of them.

Delaney made out with a new activity walker and a stocking full of little toys and goodies.
And of course, cupcakes. The kids have asked Santa for them the last two years, I guess a tradition is born.

We actually had time to play with the new toys this year before getting ready, so the kids and I took a bike ride to get the mail.


After that, the challenge of getting a family of five ready. I love getting the kids dressed up. Somehow Camden's picture got deleted when he got a hold of my camera, but he is in many other shots.




Then it was off to my parents. We hung out there for a few hours, let the kids nap, and then the rest of the clan showed up. Makenna, Nanny and Nana did a puzzle.

Delaney looks like she is singing to me.


The group was Megan's family of five, Michelle's family of four, my parents, Nanny and Gramps, and us. In total 18 people, 8 of which were kids. There were so many presents, but as usual, we opened them in record time. I actually don't like the chaos of everyone opening at once, but I guess the kids enjoy it. Some of the highlights were Makenna's new doll "Alaska," an Eskimo doll my parents bought while on their cruise,

and Camden loves his new real basketball and real guitar.


The kids got so many cool new toys and Christian was excited to get 5 new Wii games (some are supposed to belong to the kids)!! MarioKart is a blast! I can't wait to go shopping with my new giftcards!

Megan got an Indy Board, which I want now too, here we are all trying it out. Makenna did great with Uncle Greg!








It look like someone is picking Daymon up!

Next it was off to Christian's parents for presents and dinner. It was presents, food, put Laney to bed, presents, put Makenna and Camden to bed, presents. It took a long time. Quite the opposite of my family, we open presents much slower at his parents. It was nice to see what everyone got though. Makenna and Camden got some new books on tape, which they now love, and other exciting new toys. Highlights included Makenna's new glittery shoes she was dying to have, Camden's new Thomas the Train laptop and both kid Little People sets (doll house and car garage). Delaney even got a new PowerQuad (will post picture of this later, we don't have it at our house yet). Not a lot of picture because I thought I forgot my camera, I'll have to get the pictures from Amy's camera, thanks Amy!

Overall a fantastic Christmas!!! So much fun!!