ornaments

The kids exchanged names last year and got each other an ornament. They really enjoyed putting their ornaments on the tree this year so we did it again. After returning home we let them open those gifts. They all did a good job of keeping secrets and had fun shopping for each other. They each so enjoyed watching their person open their gift. Maggie had Brie.

Brie had Makayla.

 Makayla had PJ.

 and PJ had Maggie.

It was really fun watching the pure happiness on each of their faces. They really do love each other and like making each other happy.

classmates

It was last minute but 2 classmates and I were able to get together and hang out for an evening. It is always so fun to get together and catch up in person, rather than just on Facebook. Believe it or not the one in black had her baby 6 days after this picture, she looked so good!! somehow these get togethers make me feel younger!!  The picture below is all of our kiddos, minus little Madison who was T minus 6 days here. So neat to have them all together, my 4 definitely had a fun time playing with everyone! Thanks ladies for taking the time to visit while I was in town!

presents with grandma

We exchanged gifts with grandma earlier in the week. The kids were able to enjoy their gifts and then not be rushed with them.  They all really enjoyed their presents. They were all very disappointed when our visiting time was up. It is always so fun for them to be around the farms and family.

It appears that grandma too enjoyed her gifts!! love you mom!! thanks so much for letting destroy your home and eat all your food for 6 days! it never seems like enough time but so grateful for the time we do get together!! LOVE YOU!!

no more elves...

Sweet Brie cheese was so very sad Christmas morning eating her donuts when her siblings told her Elfie and Kristy were gone for the year! guess we forgot to remind her of what happens with the elves the night before. She seriously cried for quite awhile. We also forgot to remind her that Santa only does stockings for our kids and she was upset at the lack of presents under Grandma's tree.

stockings were hung

 Many years ago we made a deal with Santa that if he filled the kids stockings we would provide presents under the tree. So the stockings were hung with care....the children slept and

 magic happened......

 The big girls were up first and they opened. The little's got up much later, I am sure it was because of the 2 am bedtime!
 It is safe to say that everyone was happy with the things that filled their stockings!

 we were able to see many genuine smiles from Maggie, those are hard to capture on camera! PJ could hardly believe his eyes!

 This was a common look from Makayla, the one that says "really guys!". so looking forward to the road ahead with a preteen(and we are only 11).

 Brie was cheesing it up with her shades!

stockings are done and they are surrounded by tissue paper!

Grandma Christmas

 We spent our Christmas holiday with my mom and family this year. We went into town before the holiday and we were able to visit many of my friends and spend some quality time with some of my family as well. We had a great trip and the time went by very quickly!!

Mom and the big girls and I went to a Christmas orchestra concert, and it really put us in the spirit! It was amazing to see how many fit onto the stage! the music was amazing!

 The kids had not had the chance to decorate cookies yet so Pete was very kind and help make that happen! A little different decorating than grandma usually does but still enjoyed by all!

When my family gets together we tend to gather in the garage. This year my sister and I decided we needed alittle Christmas decor for mom's garage, tada! it turned out very nice I thought!The best of the kid Christmas picture this year!

Grandma and the kids! This is the only picture I took of them the whole trip! I did not have my camera out a ton and mom does not jump up and down requesting to get her picture taken..  :~)

Makayla and her Godmom Coke! She opened 3 packages, the first was a frame, she was quite confused, then she got to the puzzle and was very happy with Auntie Coke's choice!

PJ and his Godfather Jeff, he was particularly interested in being around him the whole time! I guess he misses him or something! (secretly he was being extra nice because he wants Uncle Jeff's fried fish!!)

Brad is Brie's Godfather, she too was very thrilled with her Frozen gifts! she has enjoyed coloring and playing play dough many times!

 Maggie with her Godfather Mark. Maggie opened her gift while we were visiting with them earlier in the week. She is IN LOVE with her reading light and loving the American Girl Doll books as well!

Mom always LOVES the little ones. Brie technically is not that young anymore but she is still enjoyed (I think).

 A family picture on mom and her kids!I think we look as good as we did 10 years ago!

The oldest sister is worse than I am as far as taking pictures. So she surprised each of us with a special treat! she gathered all the pictures she has taken of each of us and made each our own special tote! so fun and so many memories! a treasure for always!!

 My greatest great nephew ever! my Godson Matt. I think his gifts were a hit! always an honor to be around him.

 Then there is Ben, this is a long running story.. back in high school Ben was very thin(a good wind would blow him around) so I suggested he eat more peanut butter. He replied "well Karla I think you better stop eating peanut butter" and thus began  a tradition of peanut butter giving.  I have missed a few occasions recently so we gave him the largest jar one could buy that day!

Each year my mom buys many many several small gifts and then she reads the Christmas story. Each time she says the word "Jesus" we have to pass our present until the end, at which point we can then open our surprise. You never know if you will get a can of beans, tissues, or a stuffed animal or anything else in between. This tradition is really enjoyed by all members young and older. 

PJ was very sad that the Christmas eve party was coming to an end.

 the party is over, the cleaning is done and we are back from midnight mass(none of my kids ever fell asleep)...the final task is spreading PJ's homemade reindeer food so Santa will know to stop!