Christmas Day (#3,4,5)

Christmas morning, the kids didn't get up until 8am. Whoa, that's gotta be a record. As I recall, most other years were more like 6 or 7am, since they were so excited. But they were so exhausted, 8am it was. Mike and I didn't get out of bed till 8:30, believe it or not they patiently waited that 1/2 hour for us to drag ourselves out of bed, for another long day ahead.

One of the favorites Cal and Kaycey got were miniature booklights, good for in the car when we are driving at night. Maddie was mad she didn't get one, so perhaps for her birthday, that is what she will get!

While Cal is rather certain there isn't really a Santa, he certainly was excited about the presents "from SANTA" anyhow. He got a 2009 complete baseball card set, a framed 8x10 picture of Cal Ripken, Jr., books, a webkinz Oriole, and a Rodgers jersey. Though the Rodgers jersey had to be exchanged because Santa somehow misjudged the size.

Kaycey got an American Girl snowsuit for Kit (who knew Santa shopped at resale shops and got the set for $14.99!!!), an American Girl book "doll school", a webkinz dog, and a Driver jersey.

Maddie got a shirt with a dog on it, a webkinz dog, rooms for her new Calico Critters, and a house to put them in. The house had Kaycey's name on it, too. And actually, all 3 of the older kids have been playing with it. The house is so cute, I would have fun setting it up and playing, too. It'll be a bit crazy when Sadie is mobile...the pieces are so darn tiny!!

Sadie got a pink & white stuffed dog and two onesies that say "little sister" and "cutest baby sister".

After opening gifts, we got ready and headed out the door to Dad and Maria's. We are supposed to eat brunch there (typically we go around 9:30 or 10). We didn't get there till almost 12. We had a nice "breakfast" and opened more presents! Legos, clothes, an NFL fact/record book (more stats for Cal to memorize...), movies, and more! Then off to Mike's Aunt's house for Christmas with his grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles. The biggest excitement of going there besides seeing everyone, and everyone meeting Sadie for the first time, is 1-they have a really cool, finished basement with tons of Packers memorabilia. 2-a house that was built on Extreme Home Makeover is closeby, so we always make sure to drive past it on the way to and from. (Personally my most favorite house the Home Makeover crew has ever built!)

After a long day filled with lots of driving (and lots of presents!!) we made it home (it took twice as long because of a snowy night). Another late night, and likely another long day on the 26th as Mike's Dad's side of the family has their Christmas gathering!! Phew! Lots of gatherings.

2010

A brief intermission from the Christmas postings...I hope 2010 will not be defined by how it began...a 4 year old with pneumonia, a 7 year old needing stitches, and a teeny tiny one starting to cough now, too!! Hoping for a year without mishaps or further health issues!!

Christmas #2, Dec. 24

with flash

no flash

Christmas Eve:

The kids sang in two church services, 4pm & 6pm. Not the usual Christmas songs, but they were beautiful anyhow! It becomes a very late night quickly since the second service ends at 7pm. By the time we get the kids home and we eat, present opening with my side of the family doesn't begin until after 8 or 9pm! Mike and I are trying to come up with something different for next year, because it's just too much too late for us. We got to bed around 1:30or 2am. Not fun with a new baby who woke up a short time after we went to bed. The kids were up very late, too. They kind of just passed out in the middle of the living room floor. The next morning Cal couldn't remember if we had opened presents the night before or if it was a dream. They forgot to leave cookies out for Santa Christmas Eve night (though Mommy remembered to leave some out anyways) and they didn't even wake up until 8am Christmas morning!!

Here is the one picture of me from all of the Christmas gatherings, other than our family shot Someone really needs to start taking some pictures of me with my kids or something, there are so few!!

Santa, baby!

"Taking your own photos require a minimum purchase"
I am the fool who paid $15 (the cheapest purchase available, argh) for a 4x6 photo so that I could take my own pictures. I need to find a Santa next year who doesn't charge an arm and a leg, and lets me take my own photos!! Mike was mad at me though because I brought my old camera. Is it that crazy that I didn't want to bring my big camera to the mall a couple weeks after getting it and risk it being dropped or getting stolen?

We went to the mall on the 23rd after the kids got out of school. It was Maddie's first time ever sitting on Santa's lap. We don't talk up Santa a whole lot; enough that they know who the big guy in red is, of course. Maddie was super excited after watching "Letters to Santa" on PBS the night before, she was certain that she, too, would be on TV. SO she asked for a toy and a surprise. Wow, easy enough, huH? Cal and Kaycey asked for Packers jerseys, something they had never mentioned. That meant a trip to the store for Mom after seeing Santa...

Christmas #1, Dec. 20

okay, so my pictures do upload!! there must have been a problem with the site or something. it does take a little bit longer for them to upload, but the other day they weren't uploading at all.

So Christmas #1 on Dec. 20--with Mike's immediate family; his parents & siblings and their spouses and kids. Here are all the cousins. It is crazy how chaotic it is when we are all together.

The 10 cousins. Seven girls, three boys. Cal is the oldest, then there are nine under the age of 7. Kaycey and Julia are 7 yrs old, and they are 2 months apart. Then Ethan & Isabella are 5 (4 months apart). Then Maddie and Jacob are 4 (2 weeks apart). The four of them are 10 months apart. Then Grace is 3. Norah and Sadie are 4 1/2 months apart.

The six of us.

Maddie and Gracie, best buds. They are 14 months apart.

For Christmas from Grandma and Grandpa, Cal got a new desk, a case for his mp3 player, and a cool Baltimore Orioles wall hanging. Kaycey got a movie, a small chest for her American Girl doll clothes, and a new game. Maddie got an easel (a household favorite!! I can't believe our kids never had an easel!), and some Calico Critter playsets (super cute little animal families and furniture). Sadie got a "johnny jump up" for the doorway, which it won't be too long now that she'll be able to use it!! She is already getting so big...her cheeks are so chubby, and some of her clothes are already too tiny and have to be packed away!!