Christmas 2011

This was our first year at home for Christmas in all our married years (9 1/2).  We have always traveled during the holiday, so it was a fun change this year to celebrate in our home.  The kids didn't wake up as early yesterday as I would have thought, and they were so pleased with their stockings they didn't even ask us about opening other presents.  So, we fixed up breakfast and got ready for my brothers and their families to come over.  We enjoyed Southwestern breakfast casserole and Chicken Tamales, fruit, and hash browns too.  My Dad made us gingerbread lattes that were so festive. 
We opened presents throughout the morning, and watched the kids play with their new toys and games.  We stayed in our pj's throughout the day until we went to my brother Michael's house for dinner.  He made great pork tenderloin roulade, roasted veggies, bread, salad, and scalloped potatoes.  Everyone brought lots of cookies and sweets to share and we stuffed ourselves as usual.  We played Five Crowns and Catch Phrase and had lots of fun.  The night went by too quickly.  It was a great day of family, gifts, and celebration of our Savior's birthday. 

My three sweeties

new chapstick being applied over and over and over again.

Daddy and Luci

Bubblegum machine from the Dollar Tree.  Easy, fun and cheap gift.

My bros and John

Eliana showing Momma something

Christmas cousins

Dad opening his Kindle from all of us.

Luci opening her Strawberry Shortcakes

Gabi was thrilled with her American Girl doll from Nonno and Nana

Emilio loved his Pirates of the Caribbean Lego Ship

A gift Karen Rose brought back from Alaska for Andrew.

Nonno and Nana with all their grandkids