Christmas Afternoon in Junction City

A little after noon on Christmas day, we headed to Chad's parents to continue the Christmas celebrations. We mostly relaxed, ate Grandma's delicious brunch as well as lots of other treats, visited, played and opened a few gifts as well as stockings. A big group of us had a lot of fun playing 'Catch Phrase' in the evening. Nev absolutely loved playing with her 2nd cousin, Nithera, and Cade and Will loved spending some time with cousin Andrew. It was nice that all of Chad's four sibling could be there too! We finally called it a night at around 10:30!

Another fun, chaotic family Christmas scene!

And, finally, a couple shots of 'The Best day of The Year', December 26, when my girlfriends and I get together for an afternoon of lunch and shopping in celebration of Christy's birthday! Christy couldn't make it this year but we decided to get together anyway :) And, luckily, Amber got to join us this time! Yay! So much fun!

I Love Christmas Morning

Christmas morning at 8:30 (our compromised time...Chad, Cade, Nev and I wanted to sleep in while Elle and Will wanted to go downstairs earlier!), we all headed downstairs together to open stockings and then open gifts. I love Christmas morning. It is relaxing, fun, a little chaotic and filled with smiles and laughter. Genevieve especially loved her Barbie RV with lots of Barbies and accessories as well as her stuffed purring cat and stuffed kitten. Willem really loved his new basketball shoes, basketball 'elite' socks, new indoor soccer shoes and his small basketball hoop. Gabrielle loved her Birkenstocks, Delia's and American Eagle clothes and her Nike leggings. Cade was happiest with his new soccer shoes (which he picked out) and his new basketball shoes as well as his new Vans and clothes. The boys were also excited about the new TV for the playroom as well as (used) xbox 360 and games to go with them. They were all thoroughly spoiled but also very grateful. It's always fun to see the funky things Chad picks out like a Mighty Python shirt for Cade and Mighty Buffalo shirt for Will (from one of their favorite funny YouTube videos). Chad also spoiled me with new Uggs, CrossFit shoes, some clothes and more! We finished opening gifts by about 10:30 and then relaxed and played until about 12:30 when we headed to grandma and Grandpa's house for more fun and family time. 

1:00 am Christmas morning after Santa's visit!

Christmas morning! 

Waiting to go downstairs together on Christmas morning 

Finally time to see what Santa left us 

 

  Our new rings all hung up and ready for Christmas morning muscle-ups!

Christmas Eve!

Christmas Eve at Opa and Kathleen's was fun as always, even though it flew by WAY too fast!  We arrived at Opa and Kathleen's house around noon, as the rest of the big group of nearly forty trickled in.  There was our classic meal of Jenn's chicken noodle soup, plus meats, cheeses and rolls.  And then time to catch up, even though there never seems to be enough time.  Families disbursed to church in the evening (we went to the Newman Center again as it matches up better with James and Jenn's Christmas Eve church time) and then back together again for dessert.  And then finally we opened gifts which, our kids informed us, takes WAY too long to begin (apparently it is torture, eating, then going to church, then having dessert before finally opening gifts!). I think it all flew by way too quickly! Chaos ensues, as always, with wrapping paper and new toys and kids flailing around the room. The kids all got some toys from Opa and Kathleen as well as from their aunts and uncles. After the kids opened all of their gifts, then we moved on to the adult gift exchange.  As always, we were very blessed on Christmas Eve to spend the holiday with our family!