Christmas was a week long celebration and lots of fun to get to see everybody. We started off Monday with Seth and Jess last week. They give the boys the most creative things! Colin loves his boat and boats book and Jess made Connor the cutest/softest blanket set that match his room fabric! Connor loved his new toys too! Us adults did our usual gift card exchange ;)
Connor LOVES this new ball!
Took him a while to put it in the water, he liked to carry it everywhere :)
Christmas Eve we hosted my family here for the afternoon and had our traditional Italian feast! We do a new dish each year and this time mom and I did lasagna roll ups. Always tons of good food with this crowd! We did the secret Santa present thing and the kiddos got more into it this year. Eli's reactions to everything did NOT disappoint :) The 'littles' still walk around looking confused mostly. They all got lots of new books which is a favorite for everyone! We finished the night off with the kids decorating cookies for Santa! The kids really weren't messy which was surprising! Skip presents each year and let's kids eat sprinkles and I think the kids would have just as much fun! My parents brought Mason over, but we definitely missed Noah, Chelsea, and baby Micah!
5/6 grandbabies
And done...haha
Dad had Noah and Chelsea on Facetime to watch Mason open his presents
Fishing poles were a hit!
Little bit loved his Cat in the Hat from Mimi and his new chew toys from Mason!
Opposites! Eli was so detailed and serious decorating, but doesn't like to eat sugar...the other decorated the fastest so she could dive in!
Colin decorated one then ate it and ignored the rest...Mason basically just skipped decorating and ate sprinkles ;)
Missed these peeps! Plus Chelsea!
The day after Christmas (Christmas Day was the previous blog post) we packed up and went to see Doozie and Nana in Huntsville. Seth and Jess were there too! We had a yummy traditional lunch and opened presents before nap time. The kiddos got some cute stuff and Connor enjoyed just watching everyone. Derek and I were spoiled a bit too ;) Donna, Jess, and I got to escape for a little shopping before the guys went to see Star Wars! We laid around Sunday morning and the boys played before heading back home.
Connor attempting to feed himself. FAIL ;)
Helping unwrap
Connor liked his new chair and book :)
We opened our gifts during naptime. Derek was excited about his surprise man gifts ;) No pictures of me of course, ha, but I got some good surprises too
Eating. Always eating!
Ninja Turtle boxing
He liked Daddy's old game :)
Rock throwing/counting and racing cars!
It was good to get everything unpacked and although I love Christmas and all the decorations, they will be coming down tomorrow so we can get things back to normal. The kids truly now have enough toys to last until next Christmas! They are some blessed boys (and maybe a tad bit spoiled...).
It's so nice to see so much family in December and fun to experience Christmas with kids now. We hope they grow up to look forward to Christmas and all the fun that comes with it, but raise them to be giving, grateful, thankful kids too that know it's about Jesus and caring/giving to others!
Colin's hair took a beating from all the holiday fun, haha! Love these guys!