Goodbye Christmas

Goodbye Christmas, til we meet again next year.

 I now can officially say Christmas is over. It isn't until we get through the first weekend in January, which we celebrate with Steve's family, that we know its done. I love that this gathering isn't held until now, I love that it makes our Christmas season last just a little bit longer, but most importantly I love that we don't have to split up the holiday between families. This way we can spend Christmas eve with my family, Christmas day lounging at home and this weekend with the Schneider's. Mary asked if we should pick a day closer to Christmas to get together, but the majority won with the answer no! I think we all feel the same, its nice to have a break in between all the parties.

We started the afternoon with a little munching immediately followed by gift opening so that we would be free later to watch the Big Packer Game. The kids, of course, liked opening the gifts sooner rather than later too.

This little girl took the chance to jump in the hot seat as soon as she got the word.

Art supplies for a little boy that would LOVE to do nothing more than draw and color 

ALL. DAY. LONG.

There is something about this guy that draws Mackenzie in every time we get together. She runs to him the minute we arrive and sticks like glue to him until we leave. He was so sweet with her, allowing her to take a spot on his lap throughout her entire gift opening. Then made sure there was a spot by him during dinner and freed up his lap again so she could hang out with him while the adults played games. THANK YOU Jeff for having such patience with her!

This little girl LOVED her new princess castle and made sure to keep all her princess tucked in close.

This summer Michael was working on a quarter collection. He and Grandma sat down and went through her quarters to pull out a few that he needed. Then one day we headed to the store, he grabbed his bowl of quarters and spent them all. Now that he has a book to keep them in, there will be no spending them ;)

This summer the boys feel in love with their uncle Andy's guitar, and now they can join him in a jam session.

Another year gone by spent with some great family!