Christmas

Christmas! I love Christmas, everything about it. Waiting for Santa, excited kids, and lots and lots of treats. I think I enjoy Christmas morning more as a mom than I did as a kid.

Coming down the stairs was a little interesting this year. The presents and tree are all visible from the top of the stairs, so it's challenging to get the kids to look at the camera at all. Makenzie is apparently playing peek-a-boo behind Olivia :).

Santa didn't leave any presents under the tree this year, but he did leave the kids boots, coats, and hats next to his cookie plate. The kids took the hint and went out back...

Santa for the win!

Pure joy on this boy's face :)

Kenzie's stocking was bigger than her! She has been our only child to be awake through their first Christmas morning, but she had these shocked eyes almost the entire time.

About mid-way through present opening (we started around 8) we talked to family on the iPad! My side of the family was all getting together the next day, but we weren't going to see Alex's family, so Facetime was awesome.

This is what happens when you forget to do breakfast until 10:00. Carter was so hungry he dove face first into his toast :). But for anyone who's worried, his stocking chocolate held him over.

We had such a relaxed Christmas, and had Amber's family over for Christmas dinner. I definitely miss family, but having holidays with just our own little family bring a new peacefulness that I have grown to love. It doesn't change the end result, Dad and Kenzie totally wiped out, sleeping on the couch. :)

The next day we started our J Family Christmas weekend! We had to start with a selfie...Amber's new selfie stick came in handy throughout the weekend to cause mischief.

Emily has a birthday just a couple days after Christmas, so we celebrated with a special breakfast. The grownups had crepes (from the best crepe bar I've ever seen), but the kids enjoyed Olaf pancakes instead. All the parts are moveable, so we got to watch them act out the whole movie as they ate the main character :).

This sweet boy is always asking to hold the baby. He sits so gently and pets her head and her hands. He often brings his favorite stuffed dog to share with her because it makes him happy. Teag's normal is so exuberant that I was nervous at first, but he is so soft with her that she has enjoyed sitting with him from the beginning.

I am in the background of this picture playing a game, so I missed this cute picture of a bunch of girls :).

I love this part of family get-togethers. We all just sit around chatting, watching the kids goof off, and laughing at each other. I could never get enough of it!

The evening of the 28th, we split up and sent the men to our house with our kids, and the women stayed at Amber's. We played a bunch of fun games, and I had a major accomplishment after Pass the Pig.

At one point in the evening, Mom and Tasha had to arm wrestle (during a game...anything to win!). Can you guess who won?

We had the traditional crazy present opening with 20 people in one room, and lots of fun. Our kids are pretty sure that Christmas lasts for a whole week, and I'm totally fine with that sentiment.  We were so wiped out that we totally skipped New Years (a few of us were sick with a bug). Overall a great holiday!

Lastly...this stage of baby-hood. I totally forgot the frequency that we find this ...sad baby!