Christmas 2011 Recap

Here's a little recap of our Christmas celebrations for 2011. (There are a LOT of pictures-you've been warned.) We really like to be at home on Christmas morning so we saved our traveling for after Christmas. So here is our little Christmas at home and our trip to celebrate with family.

I realized most of the pictures were in front of our little "matchy" tree in the living room, so I took a quick picture so this tree didn't feel left out. It is a HUGE tree and we put it up in the study with all the kids' ornaments that they've made and received over the years. I was wondering how we'd have room for them all after a few more years, but considering the fact that a minimum of 5 get broken every year we should be ok for awhile. This year Rhett accidentally broke his "baby's first ornament". It made me SOO sad.

On Christmas Eve we went to a candlelight service (it's just not quite the same with battery powered candles -in case your were wondering.) Then the kids got to open three gifts from us to represent the Wise Men's gift to our Savior, baby Jesus.

After baths, we donned our Christmas jammies and tried to get a pic. This one looks like Hollace is trying to non-chanantly flash a gang sign or something. I'm not sure what she was doing, but the pictures only went down hill from here.

As you can see they were on their best behavior knowing that Santa was on his way.

Just before bed we set out a snack for Santa, which Thad promptly ate. Brent said most kids wouldn't be brave enough to eat Santa's snack! (But most kids aren't Thad!)

They said good bye to Elfie until next year and finally went to bed.

Santa came!!

This is not a great picture, but here is Hollace opening the much anticipated singing "Justin Bieber" doll.

Rhett with his favorite gift. The Ben Ten Ulitmate Alien Fighting Omnitrix watch!

Of course Thad got one too. It prevents a lot of unnecessary strife if they have the same toys.

Their last packages contained notes which instructed them to go out to the patio. The boys got a trampoline and Hollace got an electric scooter. (I wasn't fast enough to get out there and get a picture of their faces.) They all got a note from Santa instructing them to SHARE with their siblings.

After cleaning up and eating breakfast, we packed, loaded up and headed north to Oklahoma.

On Monday we had a big yummy breakfast and opened gifts at Grammy and Papa Hubbard's. The kids (well all of us) made out like bandits and loved all their gifts!

After unwrapping gifts we played some football,

rode bikes and scooters,

sat around and visited,

and played games, including a pretty intense Connect Four tournament.

The next day we celebrated Christmas with Nana and Papa Brown, Sydnie, Jeremy, Maggie and Margot. Here are the 5 grandkids:

They got these cool Pogo sticks. I remember having one when I was a kid and my mom even said she had one. Wow. One toy that has stood the test of time.

I think Rhett was a little excited about his Ben Ten Wii game.

and Hollace LOVES her guitar!

This girl couldn't have cared less about the gifts, but isn't she precious?

After gifts we finished preparing dinner and stuffed ourselves in true holiday fashion.

Just had to include a pic of these tasty apps because they looked so pretty.

I LOVE Christmas time and can't wait until next year!