Crazy Christmas!

Christmas was crazy....but in a very good way.  We don't subscribe to the adage that kids have to wake up in their own beds on Christmas Day.  We have Paul's parents here in town and my entire family out of town, so choices have to be made.  And now that the kids are older, we let them help decide if this will be a year to travel or a year to stay home.  Last year, they chose to stay and this year, they chose to go!  So, we jumped on board the crazy train and got ourselves packed to go! 

We managed to get the gifts made, the presents wrapped, the van vacuumed, the dogs washed, the bags packed and the show on the road by Thursday morning!  We went to an awesome church service that evening with my sisters.  And then we celebrated with some Whos in Whoville at Mom and Dad's Christmas Eve!  Then came the big day.....

The four, just waiting patiently to get down the hall!

And, excited about what they see!

Bubble gum and a Radio Flyer tricycle top the list of favorite things for Claire!

Something she can actually petal!

She loved opening the presents. This large one ~ a kitchen from Meme and Papa.

Big bikes for the big boys too!


And a cruiser for Isabel! 

Stuffed stockings are treasured because they always hold surprises!

Slipper socks, candy and nail polish are in store for Isabel.

And the grandparents always seem to have a surplus of gifts for each grand!

Some favorites this year included a kids sewing machine for Isabel and Nerf guns for the boys!



Large Nerf guns!



 

Then there was lots of special time with the cousins!

Group hugs!

The happy couple.....that is not engaged, but she is wearing a ring? 

You figure it out!  I say, call it what it is.

You are either engaged or you aren't. 

You can't be engaged to be engaged....that's just silly!

That's all I'm sayin'.

 There's a lot of love in this family!

The three handsome boys in the family....next year there will be one more!

Don't forget the grand-dogs!

And of course, there was plenty of time for horsing around!

And playing with new gifts!

Yours and....

 Everyone elses!

Aunt Jennifer.....I think you are too big for that trike!

My happy crew!