Christmas Celebration!

It was a Feekin Christmas year and we all gathered at my parents' house for our celebration.  It was great to have the whole family together and really basking in the true meaning and spirit of the season.  The kids were delightful most of the time and were just so happy that Christmas was finally here and Santa was coming soon.  Sleep did not come easy for anyone that night!

This was our attempted ride to my parents' house - very crowded with a back full of gifts.  It all came to a screeching halt when Sydney got so freaked out she pooped in the back seat.  YUCK.  We luckily were not far from home and turned back to have Amy ride separately with the dogs and to clean up the mess.  

 When we finally arrived, it was a quick hello and then on to family pictures - the kids were all dressed up looking cute and I knew it would not last long!

Then we all just got to hang out and play!

The kids adore Michael and he thoroughly fulfilled his uncle duties and played with the kids - hide and seek was a favorite.  That evening we got the kids all ready for bed in their new pjs and they watched a movie.  We left cookies for Santa and read a book.  They were quite undecided about what book to read, so it ended up that Gramma read one and I read the other.

It took a LONG time for them to settle for bed (as we expected) but once they were asleep, it was adult Christmas time!  We started the tradition a few years ago of exchanging gifts between the adults separately from the kids.  It gets too wild and crazy otherwise!!!

Stephen decided to model in front of all the gifts....

After a great evening, we all got tucked in bed so Santa could come!

The kids were overjoyed to open their special gifts from Santa and were just yelling "He remembered!  He remembered!  He got what I asked for!"  It was so stinking cute.  Lia had asked Santa for a Barbie doll, Halle asked for a police car and Erin wanted an Elsa toy.  They were quite pleased with what Santa was able to find in his workshop especially for them.

Little family sing a long with Todd's new guitar and the microphone we got the kids.

Lia's big surprise was a two wheel bike!  She was so excited to give it a try.

Mimi decided to show her how it was done - after the girls insisted that she needed a helmet too.  :)

 After two 20-30 minutes practice sessions, Lia WAS RIDING BY HERSELF!!!  It was amazing.  Balance bikes are the ticket people!  She did great!

A ridiculously funny game I got from Amy and Stephen - impossible to talk and more impossible not to laugh the entire time.

Tea party!

 The awesome day ended with some fun with sparklers!

I think, even now that it is two days later, we are still coming down from the super fun "christmas high."  It was a great time!