'Tis the Season

This year's Christmas celebration had to start off with the traditional decorating of the Gingerbread house. In our family, its a joint effort, in pajamas, and ends with eating the candy, that which was not used on the house, and Lizzie just eats whatever. I must say, this year was a masterpiece and Cole was sure to use good patterns on all four sides of the house. Kate, on the other hand, has a more abstract view when it comes to art.....

The next night, we were lucky enough to attend the Benjamin Franklin Christmas Concert. It was well done and the singers we fantastic! Cole, I think, is a born performer! Before going on stage he said to me, "Don't worry mom, I will keep my hands to my sides, and smile while I sing." And sure enough, that's exactly what he did!
Here's two of our performers now.....Megan and Cole

The following week, it was the annual Gray Christmas party of goodies, desserts, and decorating gingerbread house placemats! Way cute idea! Even Kevin got into it this year! Poor Tate wasn't feeling too hot, and decided to do more supervising this year and take it easy on the couch after a hard day's work of babysitting my children. Then the next day, he found out he had a touch of the flu! You were such a trooper Tate!

The gingerbread crew

Then amid all the fun, what should my wandering eyes should appear, but a Santa and his bag of gifts this year!

Kate and Santa

Cole and Santa

Unfortunately, Elizabeth did not want anything from Santa but her present. Maybe next year will be the photo op!

Santa even had a big surprise for our Jared this year! Oh, yes, he and Jeff got matching bags of Coal - bubble gum coal. Just what they needed!

Leave it to our Kate to spend all night to decorate!

Then Christmas Eve came and the night was a blast! We had dinner with the Dunyon's and Gray's and steaks galore! We had so much food it couldn't be consumed and then the nativity replayed with songs, we couldn't go amiss. What more could you ask for...food, family, and love, then it was off to bed after leaving some love. Cole wrote our letter, Kate made the hot chocolate, and Lizzie picked the cookies for our Santa dear. Kate even counted how many cashews our Santa would want. Then it was off to read books and get tucked in our beds!

The next morning was a rush for presents and more, in fact the only pictures were these - Oh poor Cole when I show these later. I think that he may not like me if I spread these about....The kids ripped open the presents and we played all morning. The down to the Gray's for more playing, riding bikes, and eating more food! It was a beautiful day that was relaxing and fun. To spend time with our loved ones, our little honey buns.

One of the gifts Cole got this year was to go and learn some football tactics from the Cardinals football team and spend the afternoon with them. He was so excited to get to meet one of them and run around on the big field.
The real excitement came when 7 out of the 8 children in the family were able to get together and spend New Year's together! We had so much fun coming together and spending time cooking, eating, and playing together. We were able to go over to Dave's house and eat lots of good food, celebrate my brother's birthday, and light off fireworks to celebrate the new year. It was great playing with the kids outside, as chilly as it was, and play games with Grandma & Grandpa, like Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - a classic, and enjoy each other's company. In fact, when Cole went back to school, his teacher had him write a statement about the best thing about Christmas, and he said that it was his whole family getting together and spending time with his cousins. And I think that is truly the best thing about the holidays! Family! I was truly sad that we missed Adam and Jessica this year, but I know what a long drive it is and how crazy the holidays can be. I was just grateful for those who did come and the time I got to spend with them and their children. Love my Family!

All the girls - sorry Kim, this was the best one I got of all of us!All the grandkids that were here this weekend! Crazy fun!

Here's to another great Year of Memories!