Six CHRISTmases!

Let me just start by saying that CHRISTmas is my FAVORITE time of the year! It is also the most exhausting time of the year!

It all started CHRISTmas Eve when we put on our new jammies and opened our family gifts. Since the boys don't believe in Santa, we open all of our gifts on the Eve because our CHRISTmas day is always jammed packed!



On CHRISTmas day, we got up ate some cinnamon rolls, got ready, and headed over to my Mom and Step-Dad's house to open gifts. . .




We then headed over to my Uncle Doug's house for CHRISTmas dinner, more gifts, and a little bit of exercise on the Wii Fit. . .


Friday morning we got up. . .I did a little ALONE TIME after CHRISTmas shopping with my Kohls and TJ Maxx gift cards from my hubby, then we headed to my step-brother's house (a little stint away) for yet another celebration. . .(Uncle Jason & Aunt Tammy are in the background). . .


After some wonderful visiting and a yummy meal, we headed back south, stopped at Uncle Doug's house for leftovers from Christmas dinner, met up with my cousin, Douglas, my Mom and Step-Dad and my sister and her hubby, John, (that just arrived into town), hopped into the cars and drove to the Toledo Zoo to enjoy the brilliant light display that they decorate with every year!

Connor was in charge of watching Uncle John. . .



Nolan was in charge of Aunt Gigi (Jill). . .



Cousin Douglas was in charge of watching my Mom. . .Haha. . .

I was in charge of watching Chuck. . .

My Step-dad, Bob, was in charge of riding all of the cement animals that he could find. . .hahahaha. . .



And Jared. . .well, Jared was in charge of everyone. . .Heck, we have to have someone running the show. . .


Saturday we headed back to my Mom and Step-dad's house to celebrate Christmas with my sister Gigi (Jill) and John who were just in town until Sunday morning. . .

Here is a shot of John & Gigi. . .Jason & Tammy. . .and me & Chuck. . .




And another one with the whole clan. . .



No CHRISTmas celebration is complete without a little Rock Band 2. . .My mom was rocking the drums. . .


And then the festivities started to catch up with some. . .



From there, Chuck and I headed to a friend's house to watch the UFC fights. The boys were excited because the got to spend the night with Meme and Papa.

Although Forrest Griffin lost, and we didn't get home until 1am, it was still a good time visiting with all the guys that Chuck works with! I was one of two girls there. . .and I didn't even know the other girl who was not in the least bit friendly (she hid in the corner all evening)! That's ok, not many girls like to watch the fights. . .I hung with the guys and yelled and jumped up and down with the best of them! Sorry, no pictures. . .I was too busy watching the fights!

We accidentally slept right through church on Sunday morning. I forgot to set the alarm and when I awoke (thinking it was only going to be like 8am. . .it was actually after 10am. . .yikes! I'm so used to hearing the boys up early. . .looks like I may have needed the rest!

After picking up the boys from my parent's house. . .we dedicated Sunday to football! Am I a dream wife or what? Haha! We watched the Detroit Lions make history 0-16. . .and our Giants lost too. It's ok though. . .they were just taking it easy since they have already guaranteed themselves a playoff first round by and home field advantage. . .we don't want anyone getting hurt! I also put away all the CHRISTmas decorations and presents and got the house back to normal! I have a hard time with clutter. A clean and organized house is a happy house!

Our holiday festivities came to fantastic end with a delicious lunch on Monday afternoon at Michigan Bar and Grill. . .




And since no one would take a picture of me with my food (because they all thought that it was weird to take blog food photos), here is a picture of the best Philly in town - minus me of course. . .

After lunch we headed over to the Mall to hit the sale at Bath & Body Works. . .well, I went to B & B Works, the boys went to Gamestop. I had to stock up on my three favorite scents. . .Cherry Blossom, Coco Cabana, and Sweet Cinnamon Apple. . .they were totally out of SCA but I was able to get my CB and one spray of CC. After I'm done posting, I'm going to visit B & B Works website to see if I can get the things there!


So, with all the festivities, you would think we would be all done. . .oh, my blog friends, you are so wrong. . .we have one more CHRISTmas to celebrate. . .with my Dad and his side of the family! He spent CHRISTmas in Phuket, Thailand. He returned back home on Sunday. He lives in Kentucky and is planning a trip here on New Years Day, only to have to turn around and head back home on Friday. He travels A TON with his job and has to be in Oklahoma on Sunday. Blah!

Honestly, nothing like six CHRISTmases!


As of now, we have no plans for New Years Eve. . .pretty hard to believe huh? Haha! I'm sure that will all change soon!


Eli. . .oh my sweet Eli. . .she managed to acclimate herself right in with the family! Everyone loved her! Here she is enjoying presents with me on Christmas Eve. . .



We couldn't get her to look at the camera the little stinker!

MeMe and Papa loved her too!



Another year goes by and I can not express just how blessed we truly are. Not just because of all the stuff that we received or all the things that we did, but because we personally know the Savior that is responsible for all of the celebration!


Thank you JESUS! May we never take our eyes off of you!


Be Blessed!