Our Christmas in Pictures

We had a wonderful Christmas, and now it seems like forever ago. I've been in birthday planning mode ever since, and haven't felt like I've had the time to just enjoy it all. Here are several pictures of all of our fun!

We do Christmas with Pook's family on Christmas Eve and it's always wild with all 7 grandchildren. Our 2 are the only 2 on my side right now, so while not calm, they don't have to compete for attention. This picture is from that night. I don't know what I was doing, but I look really overwhelmed or something. I was probably actually helping Grant open something too. I didn't really take many others that night.

Once home, we finally got our hyped up kids into bed. For some reason, I didn't take pics of the whole cookies for Santa routine this year. It was more of a try to keep Claire away from the milk & cookies anyway. We left him one of the Christmas Tree sugar cookies that Grant & I made that week.

All of their Santa stuff laid out and ready for action! That tent took up the majority of the living room. It was pretty impossible to walk in there, but it was worth it. And, yes, that's a TV on the ground next to the tent...for Grant's room, but don't freak out. It's just so he can watch movies. I'm not hooking it up to cable, or he would never come out of there. It's been a good thing so far. Since we don't have a bonus room or play room, there really is no where else to put one for him.Grant & Daddy checking out the tent.

Claire and her new stroller & baby. I love the way she's carrying the doll. No, I did not teach her this!We only wrapped a few presents from us this year. They could care less about the paper, and get so much every where else, that ours are just the icing.
One of the most popular presents of the day from my dad. The Batcave! Grant hasn't seen Batman or anything, but at an adult Halloween party that he was at for a little while, a guy was dressed like The Joker. Ever since then, he's had this interest in the whole Batman thing. He has really played with this a bunch, and Claire enjoys it too believe it or not.

I love this picture of Claire. I just think it's sweet. The toile in the background is a memo board I got for Christmas for my office. I'll be hanging it up tomorrow finally!
My Three Brothers. It's rare that we're all together any more. I see all of them, but not usually at the same time. They're all good sports and wait all day to open their presents so my children can have their fun first. It will be interesting when (if) they all get married and have kids of their own to all get together.
The mandatory family shot. We took like 8, but this one was the best. Grant is always doing something goofy these days when the camera comes out, but Claire smiles like it's her job.

And this...this is what Claire was pressed up against in the last picture. The Dora Ballpit that she was given the weekend after Christmas. I can't even begin to express the love baby girl had for this. Ball is by far her favorite word, and she L0VES all balls! This was a little slice of heaven for her, however it was irreparably damaged after 5 days. Secretly, I'm kind of glad, but it was pretty sad to see her face as we pressed every last bit of air out of it. Maybe one day, she'll have another one. I kept all 50 balls just in case.

There's a snapshot of all we did. It by no means does any of it justice! We had so much fun with two kiddos this year. 11 1/2 months is a great age for a first Christmas. She was sooo into everything. It's so hard to plan a birthday right after, but I guess I should just be thankful they're not on the same day, huh?! Next year, the birthday planning will take place in October though! I can't believe we'll be celebrating 1 year with her in just a few short days. It's been such a quick year for all 4 of us. Grant has grown up so much, and amazes me with all he's remembering, saying, absorbing, etc. these days!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year! Have a fabulous week!