Christmas Eve 2011

Christmas Eve 2011

We celebrated Christmas with my family this year.  The morning was full of cooking and baking and cleaning, the afternoon was full of football, and the evening full of presents, food, and family.

 There were lots of presents by the time everybody added theirs to the tree.  We took our time and opened them a little at a time, letting the girls play with things when they wanted.  They are in a stage of taking the presents one at a time and thinking each present is amazing.

 Cheering for the 49ers, my brothers can get kind of crazy!  Matt let me know that like it or not football is part of our traditions there....it's genetic from my Dad!

 

 Grandma Karen spoiled the girls!  They all loved the princess blankets she got them.  My girls also loved the Wii karaoke games, barbies, barbie vacation house, veterinary set, and some other neat learning toys.

 Princess light-up boots from Uncle Chunk

 Adorable name necklaces and chapstick from Heather

 One of Matisyn's favorite presents, a light-up Barbie

 One of mine and mom's favorite traditions, dancing to Jingle Bell Rock while Santa shakes his booty!

 One of the favorite gifts were pajamas.  Both girls had to put on their princess nightgowns immediately and then changed into their Santa's helper tutu pajamas as soon as they opened them.

 Grandma Anne's health has definitely declined from the last time I saw her.  It is sad to watch parts of her mind disappear and her body weaken on her.  It was nice to spend some time with her this holiday though.  She was so happy to see us and spend time with my girls.  She kept saying how beautiful and wonderful they are, and was content to just watch them run around.

 Mom's best friend Books and her daughter Amanda.  I've grown up with her, and have known her as long as I can remember.  I haven't seen her for awhile, so it was fun to catch up and have the four of us together!

 Chunk's girlfriend Heather is wonderful with the girls, and was a lifesaver on Christmas Eve.  She helped me get them to bed when I was about to lose it!

 Chunk got two special gifts from us this year.  I made him a cookbook with all the recipes I thought he would like now that he is cooking and living on his own, and Matt made him an end table.

 We got mom a Kindle, along with lessons from me on how to use it!  She is getting so electronically savvy these days!

 We got Grandma Anne and Linda blankets and then Uncle Chunk gave them snuggies!

 Minky Couture was where I bought lots of our presents for people this year.  I bought so many soft, snuggly blankets for other people that I had to buy one for myself by the end too!