Christmas

It's Wednesday night and I have almost recovered from Christmas! Overall we had a wonderful time. I personally have had a rough couple of weeks, Christmas day was exactly 6 months since my Dad passed away. All in all though I had a nice holiday.
Here's the kids on Christmas Eve with their elves. The kids' choir groups sang at the 4:00 church service. James was also the acolyte. It's funny how they love their elves and talk about missing them when they go back with Santa, but they never mention them on Christmas morning!

After church the kids went outside and spreaded (is that right?) their reindeer food on the lawn. It was very cold and rainy so their did it quickly. After changing into their jammies and getting a quick bite to eat we did our annual videos. Ever since the kids were little they sit in front of the tree and I video tape them talking about theirselves and whatever they want to share. We have loved watching these from years past! Around 8:15 they were begging to go to bed! Wish that happened more often.

James started stirring around 5:00 Christmas morning. I held him off until around 6:30. As usual they got more than they needed. Here's James with his radio/ipod dock Santa left him. Santa left Annamarye one too. They are really nice - I wish he had left me one!
Annamarye got a digital camera and a really neat digital picture frame. The frame has a touch screen and plays videos and music! I might want one of those too!

More barbies!! A girl this age can never have too many barbies! At least that's what Annamarye says.

Santa also left James a DSi. Not sure why since he has a gameboy and a DS, but that's what he wanted.

We love to play games here! So we got the kids the electronic Guess Who game. It is really fun, easy and short.

After opening presents at home we went on to Christmas number 2 at my sister's house. Here's my kids, my niece Lanie, my niece Melissa and her husband Jorden. After opening presents we had our traditional lunch there.

On to Christmas number 3 at my in laws house. Johnny's sister Beth and her husband Miles and their girls were there. It is always lots of fun with all the kids!

That's my father in law above and my mother in law below. They are very sweet and have always been great in laws, especially these past 6 months.

All the grandkids! James (9), Grace (10), Annamarye(7) Sophie (6), Claire (6). It could be Claire and then Sophie, I'm not sure.