In the Aftermath....

Ah, Christmas...it hardly seems like it should be over, December just flew by for me. I took 166 pictures from Christmas Eve to Christmas Night. So, the slideshow is 35 pics long...but it's the most I could limit it down.
Our family had an amazing Christmas. We are Truly Blessed. It started early on Christmas Eve...Cole cooked a breakfast for his side of our family at our house. Those who were able to come enjoyed it very much. I had worked the night before, so I slept in, then went to the salon for a much needed cut and color. I got home, and preparations for my side of our family's Christmas Eve party. I wanted to do something fun and special...We decided to have a Pajama party...We had a lot of fun!



I got out my fine china and crystal...I haven't used it even once since we moved in to this house, so it was really fun. We had our traditional Ham, Cheese potatoes, and rolls...with a fruit salad contributed by my mom and green bean casserole contributed by Brenda. The family decorated cookies for Santa, we had all the kids perform some kind of Christmas song...Alec was soooooooo funny. He is such a drama boy, and he performed "The 12 Days of Christmas", including the actions he picked up from watching Kyle perform it with the choir twice. It was so funny. He has no fear of performing, and if we laughed, he tried to make it even more funny. While they were all singing Jingle Bells together, Santa rang the doorbell, and when they went to get it, there was a sack of presents! They all enjoyed their gifts.

My kids went to bed very well...Cole played the playstation for awhile to wind down, and I layed and watched him...when we finally went to bed, I was exhausted.
Cole woke me at 7 the next morning, and then we woke the kids(we had to, in order to be to my parent's by 10:30). We all loved our gifts...we let the boys eat breakfast while playing "Little Big Planet", a really fun video game they've been wanting since we rented it around Thanksgiving. We all got ready, put on new clothes (I'm really glad my boys like getting clothes...and of course Talia loves clothes!), and headed out to my parents. The boys could hardly wait to get home and play "Guitar Hero III and World Tour", both of which they received from my parents. Talia loved her 360 scooter thing...

After a quick break at home for lunch and Guitar Hero, we headed to my Grandparents to open presents. After that, we headed out to my in-laws for dinner...it was really good, and pretty relaxing. Kyle and my nephew Hunter huddled together on the couch playing Kyle's DS, my 12 year old niece Alyssa kept Talia happy and occupied, and we relaxed with Cole's family.

It was a long and busy day, and I was completely wiped out. So was Talia..she'd only had 15 min total nap time all day, and fell asleep in the car on the way home. We fed the kids that were hungry, and laid around for the rest of the night. We put the kids to bed as soon as we could, and then we went to bed too.

It was a great Christmas, I couldn't have asked for better. My kids behaved perfectly, and liked everything they received. They were also grateful for their gifts.

P.S. Mindy...I loved the gift, and so did Cole. Thanks.
P.S.S. Julie...Cole tasted your carmel corn...let out a moan of pleasure, and then proceeded to DEVOUR half the pan. I did get some too, though...it was delish.
P.S.S.S. Christie, both sets of bows were perfect for the clothes she got for Christmas...I'll be bringing some more over to match soon.

Wishing everyone a restful week before the new year...and since I think it's my 1 year bloggiversary tomorrow.. Happy Bloggiversary to ME!