Christmas Craziness 2011...

This year Christmas was pretty fun!  A few days before Jesus B-day, my nephew arrived via c-section.  It was hard because I wanted to be there to see him and my sister (they live a few hours away), but I needed to be a responsible adult and be there for my kids for their Christmas.  The consensus was that I would see them on Christmas day.  The show must go on....

We made cookies for Santa....Maddy just can't keep herself from muchin' on some frosting and sprinkles

On the 23rd we headed out to the country to spend Christmas with my in laws.  Aren't we cute!  We ate, opened presents, ate some more.  It was an all around good time! 

Maddy received this beautiful doll house that had her jumping up and down for joy!  She loved it

The cutest cousins

Christmas Eve we hung out and played with new toys from Gram and Papa and then we got ready to go to church service.  Those are some cute Christmas curly haired church goers if I do say so myself! 

Here we are camping out in our front row pew ready for the service to start

Throw in a little self portrait of a mama and her boy on Christmas Eve

Our church is awesome and the worship center looked beautiful.  Then they made it snow in the sanctuary.  Magical.  We sang Silent Night holding up candles and we let Maddy and Luke in on the fun.  My kids only almost accidentally set the place on fire a few times.  Success. 

Cookies for Santa and celery for Rudolph

Matchy matchy jammies on Christmas Eve is a must.  Love them

Saying goodbye to Emily the Elf who was hopping back in Santa's sleigh only to return next year.  Peace Out Emily! 

So excited.  Then we read the Christmas Story and had hot chocolate, so excited! 

For some reason back in May when Christmas was like years away I agreed to allow my kids to have a sleep over on Christmas Eve and then THEY NEVER FORGOT.  The fateful night was upon us.  So excited they bunked up together only to be separated about 29 and 1/2 minutes later when they refused to go to sleep.  Fail.  Then there was the obligatory whining and crying because Luke thought the Grinch was coming instead of Santa.  The demands of, "I need a drink and to take a poop!"  You know, the usuals.  Final all was quiet and that big ole fatty came down our chimney! 

Santa put this loot out under the tree.  Santa also ordered this mirror vanity set on line for Maddy and thought it was going to be bigger than it actually was.  Dang you online shopping.  Race Car track for Luke, life size superman (totally normal) A few fun dollies for Maddy and Christmas morning was a go! 

Don't forget the stocking loot

The next morning the kids were thrilled.  Hot husband and I talked about how you get a piece of that magic back at Christmas time when you have kids of your own.  It's nice. 

Christmas morning fun

Finally I made it to see the best Christmas present of the year:  My precious baby nephew who gets to come home from the  hospital today.  He is gorgeous.  I spent all of Christmas Day up at the hospital with this little cutie. 

Merry Christmas Everyone!  Hope yours was as magical as ours.