Christmas 2011

We had the best Christmas this year!! After our amazing Make A Wish trip, we came a little exhausted. I didn't get Christmas cards in the mail for the first time in years. I was thankful for Amazon Prime so I could 2nd day all our presents that I hadn't purchased yet. We made a few batches of cookies, but I didn't do my baking marathon that I do every year. It was nice. Simple.

  We missed many Christmas parties this year due to the dates of our trip, but we did make the girls' dance party.  That was fun! 

Nothing like putting a bunch of dancers on the floor with a DJ playing.. they had a really good time.  Gigi is in the sparkly outfit and Santa hat.

Owen was hitting on the ladies, as always.  He always had a group of girls around him.  I'm hoping he was nice and not Owen as "the hulk".

Gigi won the certificate for the best Tutus!  She puts her dance clothes together and there is always a LOT of tule and sparkle.  It's so fun being 8.

Kamryn won best smile award because she always smiles so big and has such a great time dancing. 

We also made time to make a Gingerbread house.  After days of looking, I found one lonely Gingerbread house kit at Walmart on an endcap.  It was small and perfect. 

I had a candle obsession the month of December.  I bought more candles and just burned through them.  I always have a candle burning.

On Christmas Eve, we went to The Keg for Prime Rib dinner.  We started this tradition last year and it is so nice to come home to a clean house, presents wrapped and go to bed early.  No cooking.  Another Christmas Eve tradition is the kids opening their PJ's. 

These are the best gifts of all... we love these two munchkins so much!!

While picking up last minute toys and bows off the floor, I found a stash of ornaments under my entertainment center.  Must be the little elf named Owen. Silly boy.

This is our naked and bare Christmas tree that has been stripped of at least half the ornaments.  I bought our tree at Target black friday when we first got married for $20.  It's small and holds so many memories.  Each year I set it up I think of how bare and beat up it looks.  Then as the month goes on, I am reminded of all the years we have had it and I just love it.  I hate to put it away this week.

On Christmas Eve, we put out our cookies and milk for Santa.  This year, Owen wanted "Shindy" cookies.  We couldn't figure out what he meant, so he went to the spice cabinent and picked out the red sugar.  Then he said he wanted chocolate chip cookies with M&M's.  This is exactly what he created and they were quite yummy! 

The kids woke up bright and early on Christmas!

Santa brought Owen Lego Batman, Lego StarWars and Sonic Unleashed for Wii.  Some playdoh in his stocking and a chocolate santa.

Kamryn got Lego Rockband, Sonic and Mario games and some art supplies.  Some lip gloss and nail polish filled her stocking with some Sees chocolate.

Owen also got the Batcave that he really wanted.  He sure loves Superheros!!

Kamryn picked out a Star Wars lego set at Disneyworld to get her brother.  After hours of searching for Sis' gift from Owen, he finally decided to buy her Epic Mickey for the Wii.  Funny story.. As soon as we picked up Kam from school, Owen says.. "I got your Christmas present today.. yeah.. I bought you a Mickey Mouse game!!"  When she asked to see it he says "You can't see it.. it's a surprise!!"   She knew what was coming but was so happy that he picked it out!!

These two have the best relationship!! 

We had a small Christmas this year and Santa was on a budget.  I think that is what made our Christmas so relaxing.  While I made Belgium waffles for breakfast, the kids and Daddy played with toys.  Looks like our Family room needs some serious cleaning.

Christmas evening was spent at Nana's house.  My dad prepared a huge turkey and ham dinner.  It was so good!!  The kids played.  We opened gifts and just spent time together laughing.  Here are the rugrats of my family.. Gigi, Livy, Owen and Kam.

Uncle Roger and I are the papparazzi of the family, although this year my dad was in the groove.  See his head in the bottom of the picture?  That's the only photo I have of him from our party.

My sis, her hubs, Liv and Gigi monster.

Here's our small family of four.

Here are Nana and the girls.  I love that my kids can have a relationship with their Great Grandma.  We have so many memories with all our grandparents, but never did we get a chance to meet our great grandparents.   Nana is so funny and generous with us all, we love her!

Liv being silly.

My mom with Kam, Gigi, Owen and Liv.

We had a great Christmas day, but the festivities were not over.  We spent the day after Christmas with Carson's family.  The kids got CozySac's from Santa and they are so comfy.  The boys played video games in the loft.

Carson found the Awkward Family Photos book that his sister had.  Funny stuff.

The girls played outside and around the pool.  Em, Tate, Alyse, Kam, Ry, and Kate.

Karlee was inside crashed on the sofa.

Here we all are waiting to open presents. 

Owen with Grandpa B. and Grammy K. 

We had a great time as always.  Our Christmas was so fun this year.  I think the best tradition was keeping it simple.  Enjoying family.