Christmas

Wow, I can't believe Christmas has come and gone so fast. It has been really busy with this and that and I have no idea what this and that is but it really has kept me busy. I have been trying to catch up on my blog reading and that took awhile since I haven't been on in quite a bit. I did enjoy so much the blogs that I have read. The blogs always help me see things a little differently or a bit more clearer and let me know that I'm not the only one. The women who write these blogs are truly wonderful. :)

Christmas Eve

Christmas morning

Julia's first Santa present.

The crew.

Okay now for a little update on our Christmas. It was great. We were able to stay home the whole time. We didn't have to pack the kids up after opening presents and hurry off. We are either in California for Christmas or go to Florida but not this year. I enjoyed it so much. The little ones (especially Julia) I am sure didn't really think about it but I know that for me staying home was the best Christmas present ever. :) We had all the kids this year (we have Jeff's kids every other year) so it took some time to do all the present opening. We always open them one at a time to be able to see all the expressions when the kids open there gifts. I really like doing it this way. I have to say Jonathan was so much fun to watch. He loved everything. He would just hoop and holler and just do the whole thank you thank you over and over again. He always keeps me smiling. Julia loved her toys. She liked all the paper of course too which I expected but was truly surprised how much she enjoyed playing with her new toys. Pretty much all of them play music or something but she really did play with everything. She did like a lot of Jonathan's toys too of course. The older kids seem to like what they got for Christmas too but I suppose a bit too old for the hoop and hollering thing. With teens I guess you just have to take what you can get. I have to say that this was truly a wonderful Christmas.

Just got his pirate ship. What pure joy.

That was then and this is now so the decorations are down...not all put away yet but down...the kids are back to school, YA, and I will try and get things back into order or as close to it as possible for me. My hope for this new year is for it to not go as fast as the last year but I know that is only wishful thinking so I will just cherish every moment I have and love and laugh as often as possible.