Let the parties begin...or continue! Monday morning we had a bash with our "foster" kids. These three turned into Rudolph and then proceeded to fly through the house looking for Santa.
That night we had our Smith Family party. How many Smith's can you fit on a trailer to go caroling? By my estimates about 50 - although more stayed back at the church too afraid of the chilly night air. My Uncle Jerry had managed to get his hands on a flat bed trailer decked out with hay bales, lights and wreaths. We were pulled through the neighborhoods singing carols. When we got to my parents street my dad hopped out and ran down the street knocking on all our elderly neighbors doors so they could come and listen. These are the same sweet neighbors I grew up with, just a little older, and I got a little teary eyed watching their happy, grateful faces.
My kids thought this was particularly cool, although very cold, and really didn't want to get off. Thanks Jerry!
Christmas Eve we finished up our shopping by hitting Cabela's, Walmart and Kohl's. Surprisingly it wasn't too bad or we just had good luck. Then we headed to Shellie's for Christmas Eve.
Rylee helped her Nana make the yummy pizzas! She had so much fun. We had a great dinner and visited, read Luke 2, told Christmas stories then the kids opened one present.
Christmas Jammies! Hooray! Once we got home the kids got milk and cookies ready for Santa and then went straight to bed knowing Santa couldn't come until we were all asleep. I was in the kitchen getting the breakfast casseroles ready and Jon was wrapping presents when every so often we'd hear Garrett warn us to go to bed. He's so funny! Luckily he finally dozed off and Santa was able to visit.
Christmas Morning!
Garrett and Rylee find Santa's thank you note and spot his mostly eaten cookies and an empty cup!
Let the presents begin..
Ry received Princess everything! Garrett got a variety of stuff - and only ONE dinosaur. He didn't seem to mind. Shocker!
It's so great when they are at this age where everything they get is AWESOME!
We had my Mom, Dad and Ty over for breakfast which was fabulous. And not just because we didn't have to leave the house.
Ry was thrilled with her princess dolls!
Just takin' a ride on his reindeer! Go DAD!
Shellie, Jer and Jordan came down and Garrett couldn't have been happier with his new camera from Nana! He found it especially funny when he started taking pictures of our bums!
The Gray boys and their Mom!
The Nelson's also came by for a visit and I had to capture Alisa rocking her baby boy. Isn't he cute?
We had such a great Christmas and felt so blessed - mostly to be surrounded by family and friends who we love and cherish!
That night we had our Smith Family party. How many Smith's can you fit on a trailer to go caroling? By my estimates about 50 - although more stayed back at the church too afraid of the chilly night air. My Uncle Jerry had managed to get his hands on a flat bed trailer decked out with hay bales, lights and wreaths. We were pulled through the neighborhoods singing carols. When we got to my parents street my dad hopped out and ran down the street knocking on all our elderly neighbors doors so they could come and listen. These are the same sweet neighbors I grew up with, just a little older, and I got a little teary eyed watching their happy, grateful faces.
My kids thought this was particularly cool, although very cold, and really didn't want to get off. Thanks Jerry!
Christmas Eve we finished up our shopping by hitting Cabela's, Walmart and Kohl's. Surprisingly it wasn't too bad or we just had good luck. Then we headed to Shellie's for Christmas Eve.
Rylee helped her Nana make the yummy pizzas! She had so much fun. We had a great dinner and visited, read Luke 2, told Christmas stories then the kids opened one present.
Christmas Jammies! Hooray! Once we got home the kids got milk and cookies ready for Santa and then went straight to bed knowing Santa couldn't come until we were all asleep. I was in the kitchen getting the breakfast casseroles ready and Jon was wrapping presents when every so often we'd hear Garrett warn us to go to bed. He's so funny! Luckily he finally dozed off and Santa was able to visit.
Christmas Morning!
Garrett and Rylee find Santa's thank you note and spot his mostly eaten cookies and an empty cup!
Let the presents begin..
Ry received Princess everything! Garrett got a variety of stuff - and only ONE dinosaur. He didn't seem to mind. Shocker!
It's so great when they are at this age where everything they get is AWESOME!
We had my Mom, Dad and Ty over for breakfast which was fabulous. And not just because we didn't have to leave the house.
Ry was thrilled with her princess dolls!
Just takin' a ride on his reindeer! Go DAD!
Shellie, Jer and Jordan came down and Garrett couldn't have been happier with his new camera from Nana! He found it especially funny when he started taking pictures of our bums!
The Gray boys and their Mom!
The Nelson's also came by for a visit and I had to capture Alisa rocking her baby boy. Isn't he cute?
We had such a great Christmas and felt so blessed - mostly to be surrounded by family and friends who we love and cherish!
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