Christmas- Part 1

This year we had many celebrations for Christmas. On the 23rd we celebrated with the Miller's. We all met at church for 1:00 mass~ all 27 of us! After mass we headed back to the Miller's house.
You can imagine with 27 people, gift opening takes a while. In Miller tradition each person opens one present at a time, including opening one thing out of your stocking at a time. There was no time to waste. The kids were all very patient waiting their turn and loving what each other got.Aubrin loved her beauty chair and her horse for her American Girl Doll. She LOVES accessories! Jackson got a football game and a new soccer ball that he was equally thrilled about. The adults do a Secret Santa and I was lucky enough to get a gift from Katie this year. For all of my sister in laws, my sister, and my mom, I have made them bracelets with their kids (or grandkids) names on them. I LOVE their bracelets, but never have taken the time to make myself one. When I opened my box from Katie I found a beautiful bracelet that she made for me with my babes name on it. I think it may go down as one of my favorite gifts ever. It was so thoughtful of her to think of me and know exactly what I would love. In the middle of gift opening we stopped and ate a yummy dinner, then reconvened in the living room. We wrapped our night up at 8:30pm. The kids were a bit of a tired mess, but they both said what a great night they had when we got in the car.
On Christmas Eve we were hosting at our house. The party started at 5:30, so we either had to go to 4:00 mass or midnight mass. 4:00 mass it was. We got to church early, and we still had to stand in the back. Because the church was full so early and no one else was going to fit, mass started 12 minutes early. Jackpot!!! We would get out with a few minutes to spare before our guests showed up. I couldn't really hear to much of mass, but I could hear the beautiful music that was being played. Oh how I love the music during Christmas mass.
After church we went outside to find that it was snowing like crazy and the roads were HORRIBLE! Oh no! We had people driving over an hour coming to our house. We got home, my parents arrived shortly after and we got all of the last minute details taken care of.  Everyone came, a few late, but everyone arrived safely.
After dinner, we heard some jingle bells, and sure enough Santa made his way downstairs. All of the kids (and a few special adults) sat on Santa's lap.

Jackson's helped my mom pass out all of the presents under the tree this year. He was proud that he was old enough to be able to help this year. He also gave grandma and grandpa special gifts he bought from the holiday shop at school.



Our last guests left at around 10:30.
I thought the kids would just fall into bed with the busy day we had, but NOPE! We got our plate of cookies and milk ready for Santa, went outside and sprinkled reindeer food and held our elf Harry and said our good bye's before he left for the last time.

 Once in bed Aubrin had a very difficult time going to bed. She was very nervous about Santa coming in the house while we were sleeping. I remember having this same issue with Jackson when he was  3.  We told Aubrin that Santa would leave the presents on the front porch and we would bring them in later. That seemed to make her a bit more calm, but she also requested that Todd lay with her for a bit.
Once she fell asleep Todd and I were able to turn out the light....and to all a good night!