Christmas Recap

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas.

We had a wonderful Christmas.

On Tuesday the 23rd we took Roo, Einstein and Big J to see "The Nutcracker Ballet". We went with Big Daddy's mom, sister, brother and sister-in-law.

The kids absolutely loved it.

Christmas Eve was spent with my Mom's extended family for our traditional Christmas Eve Party. As a child Christmas would not have been the same without Christmas Eve at Grandma's house. I don't remember what we had for dinner as a child, but now we always have Mexican food.

It is fun to watch the talent show.

Big J and Einstein sang a medley of Christmas carols.

My brother and his sons rounded up all the willing children to sing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.

There was also a piano solo, but Nicole finished before I was able to snap a picture of her playing.

And of course Big J played the bells.

Here is a picture of the whole group.

We also had a Nativity Play.

My nephew McKay was recruited to play Joseph. He was very willing even though he was at least 6 years older than anyone else on the stage. It was a good thing he was up there so he could keep the "cows" from wandering off.

Big J and Einstein were both Wise Men.

Roo was a lovely shepherd.

And LaLa was an Angel...of course!

The kids all took their turns at the piñata.

Einstein was able to get a little candy out.

Big J was the cut off age to be blindfolded.

After the party we hurried home so we could get to bed before Santa got here. We had to put out some reindeer food.

In case you don't have the recipe for reindeer food it is oats, glitter and sugar sprinkles.

When we got back in the house from sprinkling the reindeer food Pickles had come back with his Christmas Eve gifts for the kidlets. They were so excited about the jammies that they just started changing right then and there.

I love that Pickles brings Christmas jammies every year. What could be better?!?

The day had been so busy that we didn't get a chance to make cookies for Santa. It is a good thing we had a few shortbread cookies that a neighbor had given us to put out for Santa. It appears he liked them.

One of the first things the kidlets did on Christmas morning was to check the reindeer food.

We had a relaxing Christmas day. Grandparents came and visited and spoiled the kidlets. Then Big Daddy's brother and his family came for Christmas dinner and spent a couple of nights with us.

On Friday we had Big Daddy's family over for dinner and games. While everyone was here we took a cousin picture since we aren't all together very often.

There is Big J, Einstein, Nate the Great, Roo, Pickles, LaLa, Miss T, Hens, Ham and Baby Boo.

It was a fun and full week. On Saturday I didn't do much of anything punctuated by a 3 1/2 hour nap that felt so good.

We don't have anything planned for this last week of Christmas break...and I think I will keep it that way!