Christmas

Merry Christmas!!  We had a very nice Christmas this year.  My sister and her 2 kids have been living with us since the week before Thanksgiving.  Her husband is deployed, and she wanted to spend the holidays with family, so she chose to stay here.  We've had a fabulous time:  watching Christmas movies, finishing up sewing projects for Christmas, eating ice cream (ahem...) and talking.  I don't know what I'm going to do when I can't see her and her adorable kids (ages 2 1/2 and 7 months) everyday...all day.  Okay, I must not think about it.

Christmas was extra special this year because we're spending it our new (to us) home, closer to my family.  My Mom didn't have to drive 8+ hours to spend the holiday with us.  My brother was able to come up from downstate and spend the night with us.  The time we spent together this Christmas was the most I've spent with him in years.  We are closest in age, between the 4 of us siblings, so being with him is a lot like reliving my childhood. 

Since my brother was arriving on Christmas Eve, my goal was to get all the wrapping and prep work done so we could spend the night visiting and playing games, instead of him watching me wrap like a mad woman.  And, guess what?!  I did it!  I was done by the 23rd!  I know, those of you who know me are finding this hard to believe.  I'm quite the procrastinator, but I was determined, and I succeeded.  Yay for me!

So, what did we do?  We played Euchre!  With my 8 year-old son's Star Wars playing cards!  And, I drank his beer that he made.  It has been years since I've drank beer...and even longer since I've played Euchre.  I had to relearn the rules.  That was reminiscent in and of itself.  We had a great time, even though he and my hubby's team won...big time!  Oh well, I guess I need a little more practice.

This is my professional cookie decorator.   I'm wondering what's with his hair??

 And, someone was very interested in what was going on up where he couldn't see.

Big brother was doing a good job protecting the "goods".

The fruits of our labor.

The two youngest table stagers I've ever seen.

I'm finding it difficult getting a good picture where all boys are looking nicely (yes, I'm settling for them having a "not horrible" look on their faces).

Whoops, can't quite see boy number two's whole face.

Now boy number three isn't quite looking at the camera.

Someone has a case of the sillies.

We're getting there.

Okay, I guess I'll have to settle for this.

It took us most of the day to unwrap gifts.  We would pause to put toys together, eat breakfast, play...

My niece's ice cream cone set was a hit with everyone.

And, we spent most of the afternoon resting and putting together Legos.  That's a Mom of boys for you!

All in all, it was a great Christmas where we could all be together.

And, were all tuckered out at the end of the day.

I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas!