Christmas

Christmas was finally here!  Someone had been waiting.  Someone was excited.  Someone was ready.  Finley's anticipation and pure excitement did not disappoint.  I thought last year was fun, this year was better.

Due to Heidi's work schedule (on-call on Christmas Day), we celebrated with my family on Christmas Eve morning/day.  Unfortunately Patrick got called into work the morning of Dec 23rd and didn't return home until mid-afternoon on the 24th...not that the kids really noticed (too many presents), but he was bummed.

The 5 Littles were ready!

Grandma was over-ready.

The first gifts were for the three oldest boys...from the Packers!

Winter cheesehead hats!

And then it began...full-on present opening!  We attempted to keep order, all of the kids presents were opened first.  The adults followed later when the littest littles were napping.

Spencer really wanted a skateboard for Christmas (his Uncle JB got him one), so Grandma thought Finley might too. 

Even though he didn't ask for it, it was one of his favorites!

Hadley was "eh" about opening gifts.  I really thought she'd rip them open.  I was wrong.  She did open a few and was excited, but....

...she was perfectly content watching the action.

For every gift Hadley could've passed on opening, her brother made up for it.  If anyone wanted help, he was there.

My kids decorated plates for Grandma, I baked them and yet the marker still washed off.  They are decorative, but not useful.  Pinterest fail. 

The three biggest littles were full of excitement.  I anticipated some arguing, but it was minor.  Really, it was the waiting between gifts that was hardest.  Is it my turn?  Is it my turn now?

Achoo!

Hadley received an awesome gift - Grandpa refinished my old doll cradle and rocking chair, and Grandma made new blankets for her babies.  She loves it!  Showing Nolan how to rock the cradle...

...and the mini taggies for her babies.

Spencer & Finley received their very own iPads...actually Kindle Fires, but Finley calls his an iPad.

It was nothing short of a marathon of gift opening...we relaxed some too.

As soon as the last present was opened, we quickly cleaned up and prepped for our annual Christmas Eve gathering with Grandpa's side of the family.

Finley was on top of sweeping the fallen snow.

Little did we know, Santa was planning a visit!

The evening finished with our traditional Wii Bowling Tournament - Patrick won!

Due to a full day, the kids and I headed home early to get ready for Santa.  We set out cookies, milk and their Santa sacks. 

The next morning, Finley exclaimed - Mom, I WAS good, Santa came!  I wonder if he was worried?

The kids started with their stockings!  One stocking-stuffer was new toothbrushes - Finley's was batman.  His comment?  Santa must've gone to Target for this, they have them there!  I know Sweetie ;)

Onto the Santa sacks, they were filled with many fun things!  Finley loved his superhero costumes!

Again, Hadley was 'ho-hum' about the actual opening...

...she was perfectly happy gobbling up the spilled M&M's.

Their new table worked perfectly for opening gifts...

...and breakfast!

Finley was very sweet through all of the present opening - he was very thankful to Santa and us...he kept giving me hugs and kisses.

We took a quick breath, loaded up and made a surprise visit to see Grandma's side of the family.  We drove down to visit Auntie Dixie & Uncle Tim, Shellee, Darren, Tanner & Conner.

Grandma taught Hadley how to play Ring-Around-The-Rosie.  She liked it, and requested it over and over and over.

Finley checked out Great Aunt Jan's cookies.  Her cookies are like art - the detail in the decorations is amazing.  There are also many, many different kinds, she must start baking in July!  The cut-out cookies passed Finley's taste-test.

Hadley went from Grandma to Grandpa and back again.  She's always snuggling her way into their arms/laps!

Finley brought his new superhero game, in hopes that Tanner or Conner could be convinced to play with him. 

Conner was a good sport.

Just like at Grandma's, Finley finds random things to take home - Auntie Dixie let him take a small, crystal piano...which immediately found a new home on top of our piano (upper left corner).

That evening, the marathon continued with our gift exchange at home. 

I had more fun watching Finley than anything else.  His face says it all!

Before the last gift was opened, even Hadley got into it.

And after all of the many, many, many gifts (our kids were horribly spoiled by everyone).  They had a tremendous amount of fun with the paper!

Our family tradition...gag gifts.  They did not disappoint.  Unfortunately, in the craziness, I did not get pictures of them all.  But trust me, they were all funny.  Heidi gifted me a "G is for Girl - A Guide to Raising a Girly Girl", definitely something I could use. 

It was a cute manual with sections on all things 'girly', from the various shades of pink, a how-to on pigtails, a list of teenager-slang and a page full of resources (contact information of friends that are girl-moms).

My favorite section was on make-up application, it was complete with pictures of 'real' experts ;)

My dad gifted Patrick a bathroom for his new garage - a Pot to Piss On.  Who knew they actually sell toilet lids that attach to five-gallon buckets?

Ryan created a how-to on Water Tubing Safety for my mom (she took an ungraceful spill last year).  My mom gifted my dad an engraved Stella glass and adult-sized leopard print footed pajamas (he's always cold and thirsty).  And Patrick put together a Grilling Safety Kit for Ryan (we all witnessed Ryan melting the siding on their house).

My gift was for Heidi.  She opened a card that read, Little sisters grow up wanting to be cool like their big sisters.  2012...the year Heidi discovered my coolness.  And inside she found, her own running shoe, bronzed and turned into a tropy.  I'm sure she's displaying it on her mantel.

With Christmas over, we've been playing and playing and playing.  I've hardly needed to entertain all week - the kids are having a blast with all of their new things.

Finley loves his superhero socks.  Really, anything with a superhero on it is a must-have, favorite item.

Hadley LOVES her new PBK chair!  She's always crawling all over Finley's, now she has her own.  Thanks Auntie!

We've been putting together puzzles and playing games. 

Operation is both hilarious and frustrating to watch - GREAT fine motor activity, just hard on the ears.  Operation has changed since I last played - there's a cell phone for "phone finger", burp bubbles for "bubbles/burp", toxic gass for "passing gas" (gross) and a toilet for "bad plumbing" (gross again).

Grandma supported Uncle Ryan (kind of), by giving out Target gift cards - this gift card turned into a Hexbug!

Sister turned mom.  Hadley has taken off with the 'girl toys'...

...she even has empathy for a crying baby.

Finley really (for real) thinks hanging onto the couch and popping one end of the skateboard up is a dramatic trick.  Mom watch this trick!  Mom watch!  Mom!  Spencer showed me this trick!  And of course I'm impressed each time.

Our annual Santa-Hat picture...Merry Christmas 2012!