We celebrated on Sunday the 22nd with the Millers. The whole family headed to mass together
(all 27 of us) and then back to Kaye and Dick's house. It's rare these days that all of us are together at one time.
For years Kaye has had it where one person opens a gift and everyone watches...with 27 people that would have taken days. She has become more flexible with her traditions. This year we did it by families. It still took hours, but its always fun to see what everyone gets and also to see how excited the others are when they open the gifts we gave. Aubrin and Jackson were excited to buy for Stephen and Emma this year. Todd had Tony and I had Michele. Jackson loved his new Ripstick from Grandma and Papa. He just wished it was better conditions outside to use it. Jackson was also very excited to open a set of Magic Tree House books from the Racka's. Aubrin opened new games and was in heaven. The girl could play games all day. She also got a very fun Disco ball from the Campau's. 
The kids all kept themselves busy playing while the adults opened gifts and talked. It was a nice day to spend with the whole family.
On Christmas Eve we started our morning at Krista's for a gingerbread house making party. It was so much fun. Not everyone could make it, but the ones that could came. It was a great way to start the day. 
We went to 4:00 mass at our church. It was so busy, that we had to sit in the side room and watch mass on a screen. It was a bummer, but we were happy to spend that hour of mass with Krista and her family. 
After mass we went to Kaye and Dick's house for dinner. Kyle, Colleen and Parker were there as well as Caryn and Tedd. It was a small group, but Kaye made a delicious dinner. They kids got hooked on the game Mancala with Caryn. There were some serious games going on.After dinner and games we went to Uncle Phil and Aunt Connie's house to visit for a bit and we heard that Santa was going to be stopping by. We arrived just in time. Just as we got downstairs we started singing Jingle Bells and sure enough Santa made is way down the stairs. Jackson and Aubrin were excited to see him again.
The kids both brought their holiday shop gifts from school for great grandma and my mom and dad.
Those are always a hit. Aubrin got great grandma yellow sparkly nail polish and Jackson got her a key chain- big smiles from great grandma.
It had been a long day for the kids so we headed home and got ready for the arrival of Santa and of course sprinkle reindeer food outside. We said good by to our elf Harry and the kids both got to hold him. We put cookies and milk out and all went to bed. I love that the kids sleep together every Christmas Eve because they are so excited.
At 2:30am Jackson was standing next to my bed. "Mom, I think I'm going to throw up." Oh No!!!! " I think I'm going to throw up because I am so excited." I told Jackson to go back to bed and he could not come back down until 7:00am. At 7:02am he and Aubrin were both back downstairs ready to start our morning.
We had a nice slow morning of opening gifts and playing along the way. Of course Jackson was more than thrilled when he opened his XBox and all of the accessories that went with it. Aubrin was thrilled as well when she opened up her Loom and new gymnastics mat. We stopped in the middle and had breakfast and played with a few presents before opening the rest. I love genuine happiness when gifts are opened and even more genuine thankfulness.
We played for the rest of the morning and just enjoyed and hung out. At around 2:30 we headed to Aunt Marlys and Uncle Chris' house. They have a long and steep driveway. When we got there we saw that my mom and dad had slide down and landed in their side ditch...lovely! So that took a bit of work, but all worked out and eventually the car was at the top and everyone was warm and cozy inside.
Jackson wanted to hang with Conner and hear all about Michigan and the football games and hockey games. Conner goes to Michigan and works for the athletic department. He had lots of stories to tell Jackson while they played air hockey and pool. Aubrin just wanted to go downstairs and play with all of Peyton's American Girl dolls. She has a walk in closet down the basement filled with, I think almost every doll and every accessory you can think of. For sure a little girls heaven!!!! Jackson and Aubrin were also very busy making bracelets for everyone using Aubrin's new loom.
We opened gifts and had a yummy dinner! We missed Erin and her family, but we knew that we would be seeing them in the next couple of days. After dinner we headed home with two very sleepy babes. Aubrin was sleeping before we got to the end of the driveway.Once we got home Aubrin got a second wind and needed to make more bracelets and Jackson wanted to play Todd in a game of football. 11:15 bedtime....it's was Christmas!
On Saturday we had our last holiday celebration. Erin and her family came into town for a few days. We headed to my parents house on Saturday later in the morning. We were all so happy to be together. It's so rare that we can all be together and to have the kids together. Emerson and Will have grown so much! My mom and dad were full that they had everyone in one house, even if just for a bit.
The kids were more than eager to start opening gifts. Jackson LOVED his new microscope...my little scientist. He also got a very cool spy kit from Erin and Jayson. Aubrin LOVED her Flutter Bye Fairy, American Girl Doll jammies and a fancy lady head that Aubrin can do her hair and put make up from Erin and Jayson. My mom and dad treasured they annual Shutterfly book that Erin and I made.
After opening gifts we had lunch and the kids played. The guys all retired themselves to watch football and Erin, my mom and I chatted and caught up. I miss my girl time with all of us together!We stayed a good part of the afternoon and then packed up and headed home.
It was a very busy holiday season, but we loved all of our time spent with family.
