Because I am learning more about this "parenting" gig each year, I decided to do the festive breakfast on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas because, let's be honest, my kids are super picky and don't eat any kind of normal food anyway. So, I google image searched "Christmas breakfast kids" (take that Pinterest!) and made green waffles and tried to shape them like Christmas trees with fruit as ornaments.
It looked totally lame and when Anderson said, "I am not even eating that," I did not blame him. But, I told him that hurt my feelings and he said, "Just kidding, thank you, Mama."
Also, the girls look a little crazy here.
We met up with the Hughes/Bishop/Salvaggio fam for lunch/gifts/stockings on Christmas Eve & it was really fun/frantic/fast paced.
As we were taking this pic, Lily was asking how close Aunt Manda was to us. She really knows how to make an Aunt feel loved.
Love my Mom!
Also, look at that baby boy belly!! I cannot wait. I am so excited! I keep forgetting Nicole is pregnant until she starts panting in mid sentence and then I remember and feel really sorry for her because being pregnant is really just physically exhausting. I cannot imagine doing it while chasing a toddler, too.
This baby will be totally worth it, though.
My husband gets cuter by the day, I think.
Mom made a HUGE pot of lasagna because that is how we roll. She is always so positive and doesn't let things stress her out and she ALWAYS sees the glass as half full, which clearly did not pass on to her daughters.
I tried to capture random moments.
I think I was successful. Also, I just noticed Max's little booty in the corner.
Lots of deep conversations between these two.
I am not sure if Max is stripping here or not. You just never know.
Mom does stockings for ALL OF US. That is a lot of people. She always manages to find fun stuff like this chocolate digger for Max!
The best shot I got of everyone opening presents.
SO much of this. The older kids being troopers to entertain the younger ones. I am so grateful for my brother and nephews being so wonderful.
I just love these people.
Anderson got a HUGE stack of books from Noni & Bop. Many, many references to animals, body parts, sports and farts. My parents know him so well.
Ferg.
Nicole got him this AWESOME art set and he is very proud of it. He has started showing a little interest in drawing lately and I definitely want to encourage this activity since it does not involve me getting tackled at any point.
Nicole got a laminator from Mom & I thought she was going to start crying from excitement. I saw the world changing as she opened it.
Uncle Hughes & Reesie opening presents
Lily being precious/frantic.
How are my nephews so old? I just love their hearts.
That night we hosted the Glover/Anderson/Sexton Christmas Eve Shindig at our house! This was definitely a temporary set up as we will be back at Toni's, where we belong, next year. It was so great to see everyone and eat a ton of food, as usual!
Anderson handed out Christmas crackers (bought on 90% clearance last year because that is how I roll) to everyone and they royally stepped it up and humored me by wearing their crowns. I am super grateful to Clare for introducing me to this tradition.
If you look closely at the pictures behind him, you will see Kyler in his crown the last 2 Christmases. I love him for partially smiling.
We definitely did a lot of eating!
I loved spending some time with Kayla (my newest cousin) and Lori. They brought such thoughtful gifts for the boys (just like always!)
This is the best pic I got of this Ferg in his cute Santa outfit from GG.
Cousins.
Present from Aunt LoLo! He was so excited because I usually buy him one car-he has never had 20!
Love!
We got Pappaw a new calendar (this is why I take so many pictures!)
Cutie with a new dump truck.
*You will not see a pic of him smiling for 2 more weeks.
And, somehow, the fruitcake is back in our freezer!
Not sure what Bop's gag gift was, but he looks excited.
Mom got a balloon making kit, which she desperately needs in her house!
We did our gag gift exchange a little differently this year since we were out of our normal habitat. My mom whipped up a story that included everyone's name and we passed gifts within the story every time "right" or "left" was mentioned.
Curtis ended up with this awesome gift, which he quickly put to use.
Uncle Austin as Santa!
Max basically hated everyone (typical Max and we found out 2 days later that he had 2 ear infections), but he did let Uncle Zack get close enough to scratch his back with an excavator.
And, he did not turn Aunt Donna away when she gave him a Bee PillowPet, which he promptly demanded be placed in his crib. He was SO angry when I tried to take it out of his crib the other day, too. If he will stay in his crib, I will listen to whatever he says.
After everyone left, I finally got Max to sleep (hindsight tells me ear infections, that night told me Cry It Out...oops) and Bug & I read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and checked where Santa was on the Santa tracker app ( Costa Rica!) He stayed up until about 10 so Santa had to step it up to get everything ready!
Santa had a little help from Brandon & Zack, so everything was perfect by Christmas Day.
Except, Max's ears. And his temperature. And his ability to cope with life. But, everything else was awesome. Really.
