A fun Christmas!

We had a great Christmas, starting out with our Christmas tree falling over 5 days before Christmas! Kaylee was traumitized and cried the whole time we took down the ornaments and lights, but thanks to my mom and dad, who had an extra one in their basement, Christmas was saved and we got it up the next day. :) Here are some tired kids Christmas Eve with their new pajamas and the tree that saved Christmas!

The most fun was my oldest brother Ben and his family (who live in Colorado) surprising us Christmas Eve at my mom's house and staying the whole week! Their kids are our kids' ages so they had a TON of fun together. Here is Matthew and Daniel with Brian, Kaylee with Alison, and Ashley with Marcus and Kathryn.










Christmas morning I got up before the kids did and couldn't get back to sleep becaouse I was too excited, so I got the cinnamon rolls out to rise and layed there until the kids woke up! (I also did this last year, so I hope it doesn't happen consistently!) Vince and I had so much fun watching Matthew, Daniel and Kaylee opening the presents and Ashley raiding the candy while the siblings were occupied! After that it was over to Grandma's again for more presents and cousin time.











The first present at home! Then Ashley's favorite present--a phone. Finally, Kaylee, Alison and Grandpa Christmas morning at Melissa's parents house.

Since then we have been enjoying the freedom to do whatever we want, whenever we feel like it! I tried some of the after-Christmas sales, and wasn't too impressed, but got a few things anyway. Vince has been off of work since the 24th and doesn't go back until January 2nd (Happy Birthday to me, huh?--but the kids go back that day too, so Happy Birthday to me!)


I hope everyone had a good holiday and will have a Happy New Year!

Hope you have a jolly-PICKIN good Christmas!

This is what I would have put on our Christmas cards, but Vince and I decided that we would try to be a little civilized! Especially since most of the people we send cards to haven't seen us in a while. So, I decided I could post it on our blog and those who frequent it can have a good laugh!