What could be cuter...

than this little cutie in her new christmas jammies???

nothing!

Tomorrow is clean up the toys and put them all away day...

I might even get to the tree.

I don't really want to but toys are in danger of getting lost or broken at this point and we are hosting New Year's Eve at our house so it has to be done.

So I guess I'm being forced to stop relaxing! :)

Extended Family

Last night we had Christmas with the extended side of Jordan's dad's family.

It includes lots and lots of food and lots of lots of great-grandchildren for Grandma Hildegarde!

(there are a few missing!)

He loves holding babies!

I love me some two year olds!

Cousin Adrian - getting SO big!

Cousin Jackson - spinning and spinning...with those big beautiful brown eyes!!

Dont blink...this group will be teenagers in just a few years...

Christmas with my side

There was lots of fun time for playing with cousins...

Some gingerbread decorating (thank you Amy!!)

And playing with Grandma's extensive Christmas village.

And plenty of time for craziness.

Looks like the dispute over who is mom's favorite will continue for a few more years...

Christmas Eve more and more!

Sully and Jordan's cousin Tallie were both thrilled with his new jersey!

She enjoyed her first Christmas!

I believe someone may have tried to take her present...watch out!

Why do we give 2 year old's gifts? The unopened boxes are just as much fun!

And its time to go home!

More Christmas Eve

Sully and Aaron - Sully says they are 'best buds'

The almost five year olds again!

Christmas cuteness.

Lauren and Great Grandma Elaine.

Christmas Eve - the play

Jordan's mom put together a cute play of the nativity for the kids to perform on Christmas Eve.

They all did a great job and their costumes were adorable.

Here the Wisemen are delivering their gifts to the babe.

Please note that Tinkerbelle was present...

Avery recited John 3:16 reminding us why He came.

These two almost five year olds were just about the cutest Wisemen...

and shepherds you've ever seen!

And this two and a half year old refused to wear her costume...but wanted to wear all of her cousin's other costumes. So her you have a princess - with sheep ears - dancing like Hannah Montana - in the middle of the story.

Could not love her more...

the day after

dont you just hate the big let down that always comes once Christmas is over?

ick.

my house is completely destroyed with presents and ect scattered everywhere.

but you know what is great?

since I stay home...I dont have to clean it up today. I dont have to take the tree down in a mad rush today and find spots for everything that the kids received.

I'll probably get started on it today but for the most part Im going to enjoy my kids' vacation and not stress about it.

cause I know it will still be there waiting for me in a few days or even next week. I love that freedom to just let it sit while I relax and enjoy this time with the kids while I can.

hopefully I'll get pictures sorted through but I think Jordan took like 648 so it might take me awhile to get that accomplished!

we had a wonderful christmas together and I think I'll just pretend that it is still here!

so happy day after to you!

Christmas Eve

Wonderful Christmas Eve with Jordan's family...

Inches of fresh, fluffy snow for a white christmas...

Tired, happy kids tucked in their beds...

Hot cup of tea, warm blankets, Christmas Vacation and me and my husband snuggled on the couch...

Yep, doesn't get much better...

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!!

my brothers & my best christmas gift

Fewer things make me happier than having my brothers around me.

They are like my best friends. Especially since we lost dad.

I secretly love being an only girl with six brothers.

For Christmas this year only 3 of the 6 could be home.

I've been quite bummed about it.

I may have cried.

But these guys are fun!

So tonight I was excited to get to my mom's and see them.

When we arrived there was a present waiting for me...

AND ROBERT WAS MY PRESENT ALL THE WAY FROM NEW YORK!!!!

(technically he surprised my mom and was her present too but he did say that

my sadness was one of the main reasons he decided to come.)

I was completely surprised and shocked!

And I may have cried again.

Now that feels better...not quite perfect, but getting awfully darn close!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!

Can you say Kayak?!

Jordan has been dreaming about kayaking with the kids for sometime...

Looks like he doesn't have to dream anymore!

They're pretty excited about it too!

Maybe next year for you little one...

Sully = Joy

As I've said before...when this boy wants...he exudes joy.

Like no one else I've ever known...it just pours from him.

He was simply adorable while opening gifts.

Every single gift had him jumping and spinning and yelling.

And saying, 'This is exactly what I wanted! You are the best mom and dad ever!!'

It was hysterical and had me about in tears from the laughter.

I'm not sure who was more excited about these nerf weapons Sully or Jordan...

Just look at his priceless face!

More Joy.

And his sweet side as he gave me one of his homemade gifts.

Oh. my. heart.

the girls

Just some happy faces on my girls during our gift opening...

In January we are taking Lauren and Avery to see the ballet of Sleeping Beauty.

I am amazingly excited for this!!!

And they can stop growing up now.

Christmas night

We celebrated Christmas with our kids last night.

There is no other night I look forward to more the entire year.

I love every second.

From the Christmas music to the smells of the food to the sounds of the kids laughter and excitement!

The kids love drinking out of 'fancy' cups.

Jordan read the Christmas story and then Lauren read a Christmas book.

I'm not sure I could feel more blessed...

Last night as we were listening to music before supper I brought up Chris Tomlin's Emmanuel.

This version had pictures to watch as it played.

When it came to this verse:

The son of God, here, born to bleed
A crown of thorns would pierce His brow
And we beheld this offering
Exalted now the King of kings
Praise God for the hallowed manger ground

Avery asked, 'Mommy, did they hurt Him bad when He was on the cross?'

Funny that we tell kids He died on the cross but they really dont know what that means.

The pictures on the screen were of Christ carrying His cross...brow bleeding, sweaty and dirt stained.

I told her that yes, they hurt Him very badly. They hurt Him so that we could go to heaven.

Avery said, 'Mommy, that makes water come to my eyes because I am so sad that He did that for me.'

Yes, Avery it is sad...heart breaking to hear of someone's love so pure and true.

But so beautiful and so awesome!

I'm so happy that the baby came to be born in a manager but then to die

on a cross and finally to rise again and sit on His throne!

Emmanuel, Emmanuel
God incarnate here to dwell
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
Praise His name Emmanuel
Praise His name Emmanuel

MERRY CHRISTMAS!