Christmas #1

We have been spending LOTS of time with family, so it will take me awhile to get caught up on posts and pictures.

My parents were here till Sunday.
Dave's brother and his family, from Michigan are here till the 2nd.
I'm very behind on a LOT of things....but that's okay.
Time with family means much more than an organized life.

I thought I'd share our Christmas Eve celebration.
Dave's family has always celebrated on Christmas eve, which makes it so nice to be able to be with my family Christmas day...although this year, due to our sickness, things were quite different...more on that later.

After Drubers on Christmas eve morning, it was back to Papa and Nana's house for a fun day with the family!

WARNING: Picture overload!

I love Christmas time, and having all the kids together on Dave's side of the family...7 total, under the age of 7! FUN TIMES!

Mason is quite the hit with his cousins!

After a day of playing, nap time and yummy chili...we headed to the Christmas eve service at Papa and Nana's church (our old church). Nana bought all the girls dresses again this year...they were quite adorable!

7 kids, sitting straight, looking at the camera, smiling, KNOWING there is a mountain of presents behind them...impossible! This was the best we could do.

Next time I pack a pair of spare clothes for Mason, I'll try to remember to grab something cute, and that matches. I'm just glad we thought to grab some at all....we knew those yucky diapers weren't quite over...but we sure didn't expect it to happen at the Christmas eve service...on Aunt Stefanie's arm! Sorry Stef, hope your sweater came clean! Oh what fun that was to clean up!

After the service, it's always back to the house to open gifts!
Mason loved his pile of presents...mostly to climb on and sit.

This little guy was up WAY past his bed time.

He's got some growing to do...but for now, sis is enjoying this very much!

The long awaited tutus!!! We're going today for a fun photo shoot!

Showing off her new Christmas jammies and leg warmers...

Mason had some cute new pjs too...what was I thinking putting them on him with the messes he's been having...they didn't last long at all...not even long enough for a picture!

I got a sewing machine from Dave's parents...YAY!! Now let's see if I can remember what I learned in home ec!

We gave cousin Jaden a Mr. Potato Head...Taylor was a little confused that the glasses were for the potato guy, not her.

Presents were opened, toys were being played with, then parents started warning that Santa wouldn't come if they weren't in bed.

So back home we went....to set cookies and milk out, to read The Night Before Christmas and to fall asleep dreaming of sugarplum fairies.