Christmas

I love Christmas! I love the months leading up to it, as radio stations begin to play Christmas music, Starbucks busts out the Pumpkin Spice Lattes and Peppermint Mochas, stores fill the aisles with decorations and discounted toys, decorating the house and setting up my Willow Tree Nativity, and of course, spending many hours with family.
Growing up with 4 siblings, every Christmas was wild. We would spend Christmas Eve with my mom's family and stay up super late. I remember the excitement walking into my grandparents' house and seeing the piles of presents extending well past the width of the tree. We would call Santa on is 800 number and karaoke to classics such as 2Legit2Quit.

Just waiting :) (Me, Tom, Nina, Ian, Ash)

Christmas morning started early (sometimes as early as 4am) , begging my parents to get out of bed so we could open our gifts from Santa. I remember asking my parents repeatedly if we could open our stockings while we waited for them to wake up. Santa was always practical, of course, filling our stockings with muffins and juice, to give us energy to make it through the day on 4 hours of sleep. Then we would head to my other grandparents' house for a relaxing afternoon with my dad's side of the family.

I can't remember when it started, but every year until I got married in 2007, I would sleep in my little sister's bed on Christmas Eve. I was so excited (even at 18 & older) for Christmas morning to come, that I couldn't fall asleep; so I would snuggle in my sister's twin bed and toss and turn all night, wishing the night would go faster. This year, I had those same butterflies. I was so full of excitement for Christmas morning; not because of the presents Santa brought ME, but because Princess is 2 and a half. She understood that Santa was going to leave her presents. He brought her a Barbie Beetle and I couldn't wait to see her reaction.

Proudly showing off her car

This year we spent Christmas Eve in Goshen with my family, starting with brunch at my Mom and Dad's. (We got them a TV for Christmas (which I will DEFINITELY blog about later)). I took my awesome cinnamon rolls and the kids had a blast playing with their cousin and all their new toys!

Little Man with his football (from Poppy)

Then we headed to my Grandma's for her Christmas Eve party, and we got to hang out with all of my cousins and their kids.

It's hard to get a good pic when little kids are involved!

On Christmas Day, the kids opened their presents and then we head to Decatur to spend some time with Hubby's family. We started with breakfast at his aunt and uncle's house, then lunch at his great grandma's house, followed by dinner at his parents' house. It was definitely a fun (and food) filled, action packed, busy day!
Over the course of these 2 days, the kids received an overload of toys and clothes (all of which they absolutely LOVE!!). Thank you to everyone! We won't have to buy another toy until next Christmas! I wasn't sure where to place these next few pictures in this blog, but I wanted to share them; so enjoy this hodgepodge of memories from Christmas 2010!*

The wrestling starts early! Little Man and his 2nd cousin (they have a 6 day age difference)

Princess is becoming a pro at unwrapping presents!

Break time!

Over tired delirium

Cousins!

Little Man's favorite part of Christmas...wrapping paper!

**I know this post was a bit all over the place. There is so much to say and not enough brain space to put it all together in one blog post!