Our Christmas...

I can honestly say that this was the first year that GREY was really into everything about Christmas.  He loved looking for Woody every morning.  He opened his advent calendar everyday and examined what the chocolate was.  He 'got' it this year and it was so magical to watch.  The way he acted Christmas morning melted my heart truly.  Nate and I enjoyed every minute of it...just seeing the excitement on his face and it's such a 'small window' of time when they 'believe'......Sailor was fun too...

We started Christmas Eve with church.  I love Christmas Eve mass.  We all crowd into one pew and have to snuggle for an hour;)  The Christmas smiles, the choir singing, the dimming lights - it makes me smile.  Close family times, making memories, and carrying on traditions...The older I get I realize how important traditions are.  They are so cool.  As simple as that sounds I get so excited about them.  If I can teach my children anything, it will be our family traditions and the fact that it is much BETTER to GIVE than to receive.

The women in my life are truly awesome people!  It's a mix of fun, sassy, beauty, intelligence all rolled into one...

 Grandbabies are the icing on the cake...

We dip into a ton of appetizers on Christmas Eve and munch all night.  However, I might be ready to switch it up a bit...I mentioned a soup bar next year?  What do you think?

 This would be Auntie Mims new dog...Say hello to Guinness!

It's a tradition that every Christmas Eve we go up to Dee Dee's attic and leave Santa some cookies and milk (or whatever we have;) - she puts a Christmas tree up there so Santa has a quick entrance from where he lands on the roof...

On Christmas morning we were awoken pretty early...we had two VERY excited children...

Sister LOVES her new grocery cart...the bean bags were a hit as well...Santa knew just what my kids needed;)

The Ernats popped in for a visit Christmas morning...A new tradition perhaps?  Dee Dee said that Santa stopped by her house as well so they needed to bring by the presents he left...

I LOVE this picture with 'A Christmas Story' on the TV in the background - PERFECT!

We are crazy about baby dolls right now...Sailor feeds them ALL DAY LONG!

A little 'cheersing' with my Lou...Mimosas!  Yes, please!

 

I know you are jealous of my sassy new PJs aren't you?  ;)

 Deb made us some French toast (with powdered sugar on the side) and a huge bowl of fresh fruit...Simple yet so good!

All the 'goodness' carried over to my mom's for the afternoon.  The kids took a nap and then we hightailed it over there...My mom made a delicious ham dinner...and another tradition of ours is my FAVORITE marshmallow fruit salad....I always load up on that stuff;)

 

Our 2 HEAD HONCHOS...

And my ALL TIME FAVORITE tradition of ours is - Wigilia -   My grandma and grandpa bring the blessed bread and you start with your 'significant other' by breaking bread with them/a simple Merry Christmas/followed by a hug and a kiss...and then you make your way to everyone there...LOVE...

And as my mom always says in true grammy Ann fashion....."you gimmie me kisses right now!" and sister happily abides...

 

The rest of the afternoon was spent cuddling, napping, and playing with new toys and reading new books...

 This would be Dumb and Dumber trying to figure out Grey's new atlas...hahaha!  Don't worry the two of them will laugh when they read this - I promise:)

Our beautiful Christmas baby...she liked all the lights this year...

Truly a wonderful Christmas had by all...we are blessed...

Happy New Year to you and yours!