Santa/Pop Pop and his sleigh. My parents woke up and headed to our house at about 8:30, where my kids were almost done with their gifts and heading in for stockings.
Luke and the stockings. Filled with things like tootbrushes, toothpaste, band aids, silly putty and other little things, the kids get as excited about these as they do their actual presents.
We spent the afternoon and evening with the entire Mangan family at Brendan and Kim's house. They do a fantastic job hosting 30 to a sit down dinner! Here is Julia and her only other girl cousin on Nate's side, who she idolizes. Jules called this look "cowlgirl princess"......not sure, but okay.
The chaos of 9 kids 12-1 playing and opening gifts.
I'm feeling tired just recapping Christmas. NY's was also wonderful, we spent the afternoon and evening with the Balciks and Reeds, then came home around 9:30 and got the kids off to bed. We celebrated the ringing in of the New Years at our neighbors, who were having a party, and Jake (my party animal!) slept till 11:15 the next day. This having older kids thing is getting pretty sweet! I hope anyone who makes it through this boring litany of Christmas events also had a great time this holiday ~ and that 2012 brings new opportunities for joy and growth to all of us. xoxo
