Christmas was so much fun this year!! All of my siblings and their families came to town. It was only slightly hampered by the fact that everybody (with the exception of about five people) got the stomach flu somewhere along the line. Luckily it was only about a 12 hour thing. We just laughed every morning to find out who had caught the bug over night.
Some of the highlights of the week...
Summer came in on Thursday night and my kids still had school on Friday, so we took Reece, got happy meals and surprised my kids at school with lunch. They thought it was awesome to have their cousin and a happy meal at school!
We all went to see Big Hero 6. Cute show that the kids loved.
Dinner at Alli and Nic's with a movie for the kids in their newly finished bonus room.
Christmas Sunday.
The Polar Express came on Tuesday night. My parents decorated the trailer and Ranger with Christmas lights. While the kids and dads went on the ride, us ladies made homemade donuts, hot chocolate, and decorated the basement and set up the Polar Express Store. The kids thought it was just magical. It didn't hurt that they went home with a huge bag of goodies!
Painting nails, painting faces, making ornaments, playing games, staying up too late....
The nativity put on by the kids is always a favorite. I was impressed with how reverent and quiet they were during the whole thing with present opening looming over them. We sang while Summer read. It was super sweet and tender.
Cousin gift exchange is always a favorite too. The cousins were all so patient waiting their turn to open their presents. They were excited to see what everyone got. They loved and appreciated what was given them. They are some pretty amazing little people.
Gramzee and Grandpa Paul's Christmas Eve boxes. Pajamas wasn't enough, so the kids got a box full of goodies, treats, books, and of course, pajamas.
And Christmas day. Please. It's the best. Listening to the kids excitedly wait on the stairs until they get the green light to run up and jump in. Their excitement in finding Santa's note back to them. "Mom, Mom! Look what I got!" The smiles when they open that one thing I know they really, really wanted. This year it was a Nintendo 3DS XL for Carter, a china fan for Andi ($3.75 in her stocking), a puppy who walks for Taytum, Doc McStuffins walk and talk for Bentley, and plasma car for Beckett.
My kids LOVED everything they got, from us, from Santa, my parents, their cousins...they are such great kids. I just love and adore them and am so proud of what nice little people they are.
