Christams 2012

A month late... sure why not!

We spent 12/23 at my mom's house. We had a nice meal, opened presents, and played.

When we got home, we still had to pack for our trip to Nebraska--which is a lot of work for 8 people--especially when two are babies. Plus, we would be having our little family Christmas in the morning before taking off for my cousin's house. Needless to say, we packed in a bunch of fun in the 36 hours before take off!

Here are the pictures from Grammy's house

Did you see all the spoiling? DVD players, a Nook, riding toys, clothes/pj's, a KU sock monkey for Hunk, and so much more! We had a nice meal, snacks, and movies. And of course, made many great memories!

And back at our house, these four made Santa's plate quite full with gingerbread cookies and carrots for the reindeer.Santa came a little early to our house--like 24 hours early. But the girls woke up Monday morning with so much excitement!

 Santa was so good to them. A sewing machine for Peach, guitar for Brownie, Ukulele for Bug, a camera for Boushka, a singing, band-playing Elmo for Scrunch, and a lion ball popper for Hunk.

 He also stuffed their Santa boxes with little treasures--things to color, eat, wear, etc.

  And then he left a giant sack full of goodies to share--a table top Foosball game, tights, Just Dance 4, socks, and 12 brand new bows.

They received a few gifts from mom and dad as well--I'd say it was a hit!

Wr left around noon for NE!

Once we got to NE,we had so much fun, but he trip there was pretty goof too--a couple kiddos rode with my mom, and the rest rode with us. We made it there in about three hours. Once we settled in to our brand new, extended stay hotel  (it was so very nice and homey--a good place to spend the holidays if you'll be away from your actual home), we ventured out to my cousin's house.

Their house was full of family I haven't been able to spend Christmas with for many years. I miss those Christmases--and this year it was almost just like old times. "Almost" because the last time I was with them I had no hubby or kids, in fact, I suppose I was one of the kids (HA!). That first night we had so much fun just catching up with everybody, meeting the new family members, introducing all of our kids and my husband, listening to music.... oh, and lots of memory sharing and hugs! We also had a great meal--they fed us so well.

We went back to the hotel late on Christmas Eve and watched A Christmas Story. A couple girls slept in my mom's room, the baby slept in our room, and three of the girls slept in their own room (which was a part of our 2 bedroom suite). When I checked on them at 11:30 Scrunchie was standing up in her crib still watching the movie. Oh, and the other two were still awake as well. Needless to say, the TV went off---I never thought they'd stay up like that to watch. Lesson learned!

Hunk posing when we first arrived to our hotel.

Hunk sleeping on his first Christmas Eve.

Treats and Christmas Story for Christmas morning!

On Christmas morning, I had cinnamon rolls, two kinds of mini muffins, hot cocoa and a few other goodies (OJ included) for their Christmas breakfast. These two were loving their hot cocoa!

Before lunch, we went back to Dru's house for festivities.  Lots of movies, presents, games, and food, of course. It was so cold there, otherwise we would've been playing out in the snow too.

 Here is my cousin Jason's boy, Sam, holding my boy.

My cousin, Dru, with all my girls.

Grammy and Boushka.

My aunt and uncle.

Matt, Hunk, & Camille.

Dru's son, Payton.

Poor pup fell asleep in the middle of the mess!

Once evening turned into night, we said our good bye's with promises to meet up in the spring for horseback riding (Dru has horses) and a trip to the Omaha zoo. We can't wait.

Then it was back to home to put away the new gifts! We had a great Christmas. I was so happy to be able to see everybody again!