Christmas Morning 2010

Christmas morning started at 7:00 am! The girls had already peeked downstairs and were anxious to get started. We started off with our traditional Christmas Family Home "Morning". I read the Christmas Sweater and talked about the things that really matter during the holidays- like spending time with family. Then we made them wait at the top of the stairs and then turned the lights on. Their eyes lit up as they tried to make out the presents below. It was a mad rush to the living room!

Boston wasn't quite sure what his gift was at first! Then we told him to go outside to find out!Sophia tried hers out instantly! She then discovered the Dora in her stocking! She saw one day at Walgreens and when she turned around it was gone. I stuck it in my pocket and then bought it without her knowing. Sometimes the little things bring the most happiness!

Now that's a Nurf gun!

All the kids were so thoughtful this year, making sure to buy everyone a gift with their own money. The boys bought each other the same thing from the Jingle Bell Shop at school. I was volunteering at the Jingle Bell Shop when they did that. I was wondering what their reaction would be. Boston opened his first! Great minds think alike I guess!

Got Playdoh?

Aubrie racked up in the clothes and cash category and got the crimper she wanted!

Ben asked for a 58 degree wedge. I told him I went to get it and they sold out. I actually bought it and wrapped it in a huge box with lots of towels. Lucky for me, when he went to Golf Smith the following day they were sold out, so my story was believable! He also got car washes, new shoes, a crepe pan (that I mainly use now), and a new watch!

More skinny jeans!

Gifts from the boys to my Mom! She was the first person they shopped for when they came into the Jingle Bell shop! So sweet!

Taking in moment to enjoy his new shoes I guess!

Craig joined us for gift opening and stayed through the morning!

Excited about the book Boston bought her at the book fair!

Still half asleep while opening tonz of new clothes, a nice Victoria's Secret robe, perfume, golf clubs and all the accessories to match!

Think he likes Joes gift! He didn't jump around like this when he saw his ipod touch!

The aftermath!

Christmas Eve 2010

Christmas Eve day started with a work out. I was SHOCKED to see the gym PACKED! The machines were full and so I just made up my own work out for the day. I quickly went home to finish up some final recipes to prepare for the evening.

This was our second year of our new family tradition of having Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day. So many Christmas were spent rushing through everything and everywhere, and cooking all day, we didn't really get a chance to enjoy the day. It was nice and relaxing last year, so we decided to continue it on.

This year we had Matt, Nicole and their kids, Craig, Billy, Joe and my Mom, of course. We missed not having my Dad here this year, but he was recouping from surgery and a move to Colorado.

I tried some new recipes this year. One included this red velvet cake.

The icing was good, but the cake was a little dry. The dinner menu was a honey ham, a really rich scalloped potato recipe, mashed potatoes, two green bean casseroles, jello salad and Nicole made the yummy 7 layered salad and brought Texas Road House rolls....YUM!

After dinner the adults sat around the fire pit and chatted, while the kids came in and out from watching TV, playing video games, toys,etc. They had a GREAT time!

We then had some dessert, and opened gifts.

It was fun watching the cousins open their gifts!

The older kids were happy with their Tilly gift cards

and Sophia with her Little Ponies. After gifts, everyone went home and then we got ready for Santa.

We made reindeer food and spread it out on the back lawn and put out celery. We then put out egg nog, cookies and fudge for Santa.

The kids thought they would try some.

We then got the kids in bed. Boston fell fast asleep, Ethan asked for Benadryl, and Aubrie was up for awhile worrying if Tilly was going to come home. (She went outside and didn't come back in). Luckily Ben found her in the shed and then Aubrie was able to fall asleep.

We quickly got their presents out, stockings stuffed, and wrapped a few remaining gifts and after a month of preparing we were finally ready for Christmas!

I was tired and was in bed before midnight! It was a great day and evening with family!