Christmas Joy

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!  We sure did!  The last week has been filled with family, joy, laughter, food, drinks, presents, food and more presents.  I am actually looking forward to things calming down and getting back to a routine.  Here are a lot some pictures to document our family Christmas.

Christmas Eve 2013

with my brother's family and second set of twins!

Santa came!

Max and Claire LOVED opening presents.  They were spoiled rotten.  I am in the process of cleaning out playroom to make room for new toys.

Aunt Darcy got them drums and a microphone!!! payback is hell!  jk.   they love them!

Getting ready to open their big present from Nanny

Balance bikes!!

attempting to take a pic of four toddlers under three...

my favoritest little people in the whole world!!

So, now it's time to put away decorations and start fresh in 2014.  It's going to be a great year - I just know it!

Christmas Pictures

We took Christmas pictures when we were in Atlanta for Thanksgiving.  I've been waiting to post until after the Christmas cards went out..... which took forever.  Shutterfly was so far behind on printing, and as usual, I did not order enough and had to place more orders.

One of my favorite pictures!!

Claire, the photographer.  

Max and his buddy, Mike

We are getting so excited for Christmas.  I am having a hard time waiting.  I can't wait to see their excitement Christmas morning!!

Oh.. We have been talking to the kids about Christmas and that we are celebrating the birth of Jesus. Claire randomly said, "I wonder if Jesus wants a Monster cake" haha.

Santa: Past and Present

I really had high hopes for Santa pictures this year!  We've been talking about him, reading about him and even went to see Mrs. Claus.

But little did I know, they would turn out the same as the past two years!

2011

2012: Claire was kicking so I immediately picked her up!

2012: Where is Santa?

2013

Claire was on board and was so close to sitting and telling him what she wanted for Christmas, then Max started crying.  The moment he started, she started wailing!  Santa made sure to let us know that they (especially Claire) had a nice set of lungs!  We finally tricked some of the kids by hiding Santa behind the curtain, setting the kids in the chair, then bringing him back out behind the chair.  Worked much better!

much better!

Today I finished up all but Justin's Christmas stocking.  It feels good to be finished, however now I'm going to have a hard time keeping my mouth quiet.  I love giving gifts - can't wait to see the kids on Christmas morning!!

Joyful

I LOVE time of year!  I love the lights, decorations, smells, happiness, family time, Christmas music...
It feels so cozy to be sitting next to the Christmas tree.  This year we have four!  Well.. two bigger ones, a little for the kitchen and one for the playroom.

Our real tree is in the family room and has colored lights and a random assortment of ornaments.  I'm not happy about our lights on this tree, but I am not redoing it!

The tree in the living room is a pre-lit that I put my nice ornaments on. Hands off, kids!

I thought it would be fun for the kids to have their own tree.  I got a little four foot color pre-lit tree for their play room.  They decorated it themselves!

And a little tree that was my grandmother's sits on our butler's pantry.

Our trees

After looking at this picture... I am positive I'm fixing our color lit tree.  It's hideous!!

I've almost finished shopping - - now it's time to start wrapping :)