So Very Merry

 

Christmas 2009! The day truly exceeded our expectations! We started the day at home, with Grandma, Grandpa, and Great Grandma Vera joining us for Christmas morning!

The kids followed me into the living room as I jingled the sleigh bells. Here they are as they first saw the Christmas tree!

Brady quickly realized that the cookies we had left for Santa were gone!

Then the fun began!

  Allie came down with a cold on Christmas Eve, but she had a fun day despite not feeling well!

Eli opened a small helicopter and decided he didn’t need anymore gifts. He went into the playroom and sat all alone, to play with his new helicopter. What a sweet boy…

Allie climbed on top of the pile of gifts!

Brady wanted to open every gift and FAST!

 

 Cara got a new little doll house!

Next it was time for brunch…  Then we played for a bit and settled the kids down for a nap.

Later we were off to Grandma Kathy’s for dinner and gifts with my side of the family. This of course includes 8 grandkids, 6 of whom are 3 and under! My mom doesn’t “do” baby proofing, so it is non stop baby chasing!

Here are 5 of the kids: Allie, Natalie, Aubrey, Cara, and Eli

Cara’s beautiful princess outfit!

 Uncle Andy showing Brady his new car set.

 

Grandma Kathy and Allie, snuggling her new baby doll.

 The boys helping daddy open his new wrench set.

 

And my favorite picture of the day. Grandma and Brady by the tree. They are our two cancer survivors, or as they call each other “Numma and Goofball!”

I posted a facebook status update yesterday that went something like this, “Present are opened, stockings unstuffed, the excitement has dwindled. But the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our Savior, is the gift that goes on and on…”

I’m so glad for that!