Merry Everything!

Christmas 2017~

Christmas Eve was nice and low key despite the snow that came rather unexpectedly that morning.  I worked out in the morning and picked up our lasagna for dinner at a nearby Italian deli while Tom and the kid fed the goats, chickens and bunny at Hailey's school and then hit the grocery store. We had an early dinner with Papa then off to 6pm mass which proved to be the service to attend as there were still empty pews available when church began (sure beats getting there an hour or so beforehand for the 4pm mass!). Austen got overheated at mass and had to step outside for a bit before Communion which actually was refreshing. Our older priest kept it quick though and we were done in just under an hour. With Austen feeling better, we drove around town to enjoy the luminaria that lined the streets of our town every Xmas Eve. After it was home for a quick dessert and bed for the kids as we knew the next day was going to be a long one for them...and it was.

Xmas Eve with Papa!

On Xmas Day, I woke up to my alarm at 8:10am or what I thought was 8:10am until Tom looked at his clock and declared that I must've set my alarm an hour ahead because it was only 7:10am by his clock. Okay, but I already heard the kids stirring, anxious to open presents and me already counting down the 2 1/2 hours we had left til having to leave for our first stop with presents to be opened, Sadie to be walked and fed, food to be prepared and showers and getting ready still all on the agenda. Amazingly, we got it all in and were about 5 minutes early getting out the door (it certainly helps that the kids are getting older and need less assistance from us to get ready and they can actually help now!).

Xmas Morning

Even Sadie got presents and was great hanging out with us while we opened them!

Dinosaur hat!

First stop - my side of the family where mountains of presents awaited not just the kids but the adults too (in typical Grandma Lou fashion). I think Hailey reveled in opening present after present. I think it took us a good 3 hours to get through all the presents. Racing out of there, we drove home to walk and feed Sadie, unload the presents and reload for round 3.

New sleds!

Next stop - Tom's side. We drove to the northside of the city and arrived just in time to share a delicious Xmas dinner with Tom's family. The kids reveled in seeing their older cousins and the ones who are closer in age to them (none who live close - at least anymore). And, they were ready for the many more presents they got to open too. In fact, Hailey just wanted to keep opening more and more and was very upset when a present from her list ended up as a gift for Peyton.

The Girls!

Boy Cousins!

 We arrived home at 10:45pm with my kiddos finally tucked into bed at 11pm. Exhausting for sure but a good Christmas and time to spend with family. And, they could sleep in and relax all day today (which they did - never getting out of their pajamas).

They received many favorite gifts but here's the top gift they said they got:

Austen - golf clubs
Peyton - Hatchimals Dozen Eggs
Hailey -  Paw Patrol Pirate Pups and Pirate Ship

Play all day on the 26th!

Fun for all ages!