Christmas

The night before the night before Christmas, we joined some friends at a local church to try out a different church service.  And afterwards, we managed to drive over to Glen Cove (about 10 mins from our house) to see the house with the insane amount of lights.  A tradition to do a drive by every year.  The kids loved seeing it.  And then we came home and had cookies in the living room (on the "new furniture"!) in front of the tree, read some Christmas books, and sang Dashing Thru the Snow before putting the kids to bed super late!

We hosted dinner and had a smaller group at our house than usual for Christmas Eve, and although change is always a bit hard, it was kind of nice.  Made it less crazy, and more relaxed.  

 We ALL went to the Catholic Mass on Christmas Eve together -- along with everyone else in this town, as it was standing room only by the time we got there, but the kids did great.  And it was nice to be all together.  Then we came home, had appetizers while we got dinner together.  

And Eddy's parents and Auntie Dana all stayed the night, which the kids loved.  As did we.  It was nice to have them in the morning for presents and breakfast.  

all of us sitting at the "dolts" table, as K called it

After dinner it was time for jammies, and of course a few Christmas stories. 

Auntie Dana was the chosen one to read The Polar Express

And Nonni was chosen to read The Night Before Christmas

 And then we all went to bed, and Santa came, and it was perfect.

The next morning, Ryan stayed quiet until 7:00 and we tried to keep him happy but he just couldn't take it.  We let him wake up Kaitlyn at 7:30 (since when does she sleep in?) and then they tore into their presents.  As usual, Ryan couldn't stop ripping open the gifts.  He was too excited.  Kaitlyn was happy with each thing, and we had to encourage her to keep going.  But all in all, they seemed happy with their gifts and happy with the few gifts they thought to give this year.

opening the stockings first 

presents!!

"yes!  Legos!" from Santa 

"What?  Santa remembered my stuffed animal skunk?"

meet Stinky, who may just  have taken Stella's place (or at least become her equal) for a short while 

these boys got tickets to a Cal Basketball game from me

the Christmas mayhem

some new butterfly wings 

Some of the other great gifts were:

Ryan got some other Lego sets, a Playmobil castle, some new clothes, a science kit, a subscription to Little Passports so he can learn more about the world, a dragon building kit, and a few new books

Kaitlyn got a few Calico Critters sets, some new clothes, some art projects, a magazine subscription to National Geographic Little Kids, and of course some new books

Eddy got some new wine glasses, shaving cream, a new music CD, a shirt, and a few other odds and ends

Kelley got a new purse, a backpack for hiking, some jewelry, and some handmade Christmas decorations from the littles.  

In fact, I don't think one item needed to be returned or exchanged this year!  Wow, that might be a record.  

Thanks to everyone for gifts that were from near and far.  The kids truly loved everything.  Thank you notes will be coming, eventually. :)

deep thoughts at breakfast

how this guy spent his Christmas day

 After breakfast, and some cleanup, I managed to take a run and then we all got cleaned up and headed out to Eddy's cousin Autumn's house for the extended family gathering for dinner.  Always a fun affair!

Kenzie and Kaitlyn.  These two are too cute!

 The day after Christmas, we went down to see Auntie Drea and Uncle Chris's new house in Danville!  Love their new place!!  And we did our gift exchange with them since we didn't get to see them before the holiday.  It just made Christmas last that much longer!