Our Christmas

Oh, the JOY and excitement of Christmas!

I need to say AGAIN.....

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!

I love the TRUE meaning -- it's Jesus' birthday!!!  

YET,

I also LOVE the anticipation, the shopping, the decorations, traditions, fun, candy making, family time AND finding and giving gifts!

I LOVE watching faces when people are opening gifts!

This day was special!

Not only was it the birthday of my Savior

It was also ............ Elizabeth's first EVER!!!

So, sit back and enjoy a look at our 

Christmas Day!

 Opening stockings.
This does NOT require parents :)
The kids may get up after 7:00 am and open these on their own.  
Once they are done they can wake us up :)
Dad had chores this year ..... so, he got up with them.
They did NOT wake mommy up until daddy got home.
WOW!!!!
AND since I was up until 3 -- I was thankful!!!

The girls having fun with the 'Dollbucks coffee drinks' that were in their stockings for their dolls.

Mommy and her girlies!  Yes, I'm barely awake, here.  
AND
Elizabeth WANTED glasses for Christmas.  She absolutely LOVED these Hello Kitty ones I found.

 Of course, we have to take a picture before the gift giving begins!

8:20 am.

They all have been GREAT about waiting for dad to get chores done!

Although, that does mean they liked what was in their stockings :)

 The first gifts --

LOVE Elizabeth's face!

She is soooooo excited!

 One of her gifts this year was her first BIG girl BIBLE!

This was one of the top things on her list.  She was so excited. 

AND it had her name on it .... She couldn't believe it!

JM and his ihome

 BaJab's can't believe it!

Her very own ipod -- 

it's just a shuffle BUT oh, my!

She doesn't have to beg JM or My Darling any more!!!

My Darling and mommy get to go see Beauty and the Beast LIVE!

This is just as special for mommy as My Darling.

She shares my love for live productions!

 My Darling is so excited and thankful she jumps into my lap with a BIG hug.

'Thanks mom!'

 She's thinking she knows what her final gift is ...... hmmm...

McKenna her doll is the same size......

MD and his new ski goggles.

My Darling said, "you're smokin hot, MD!"

hahaha

 My children and husband were EXTREMELY generous to me!!!

More pieces for my nativity, a waffle iron, a new knife set, a Fossil wallet

AND

 A Kitchen Aid Mixer

with extra attachment pieces!!

I was soooo excited!

 MD -- trying to act surprised!

This was the puzzle he actually picked out for himself :)

 Elizabeth got the American Girl bed for Josefina.

She was actually amazed.  Mommy was too --- it's a beautiful bed with great bedding -- AND easy to put together :)

 LOVE!!!

My Darling and BaJabs sooooo very excited about their new dolls.

My Darling got Caroline and BaJabs got Julie.  I have heard about these dolls almost everyday for 6 months.  They have been saving their money -- but we decided to surprise them and get that for Christmas.  They were definitely happy!

 FUN!!!

The boys and their BIG gift -- 

Dad waited in line the day after Thanksgiving for this :)

Around 10 am my parents, brother and Lauren's family arrived for our traditional Christmas Breakfast:

egg casserole -- meat one AND a veggie one, oatmeal casserole -- gluten free  and regular  -- with yogurt, sticky cinnamon rolls and OJ.

 Sitting down to eat!

AND

you can see we are all dressed and looking 'normal'

 My Darling even had Caroline with her breakfast tray!

 My Darling with her gift from Lauren ---- Inkpot, Caroline's cat. 

 Raelynn opening her gifts -- with the help from mommy!

Unfortunately, my sister and her family were not able to come home for Christmas 
BUT
Thankfully, technology helps keep us all connected!
We skyped after opening gifts and had a fun conversation!


In the afternoon ALL of us got a nap.
It was glorious!!!!

All in preparation for round 2 :)

We arrived at the farm around 5:30.  We had a wonderful dinner!!!  It is so nice that each family brings a part of the dinner.  It's yummy AND stress-free for all!

All 13 of the 'Woller' grandchildren.

What a great looking group!

This such a special part of our evening .....

The reading from the Bible of the birth of Jesus.

Each child, that reads, gets to read aloud a couple of verses.  Matt starts it off and helps everyone out!

This is such a special tradition started by Matt's dad a LONG time ago!

Everyone is ready ....  the older's are passing out the gifts this year.

My Darling got her very own pottery wheel from Aunt Audrey and family!

FUN!

JM, and the rest of our children, got new Montague clothing.  This is our first year at the public school and they helped get us in the spirit of Wildcat Country!

MD waiting to open one of his gifts.  

The final gift of the evening is one of the MOST special.
Farmer nanny makes Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls for ALL the granddaughters' first Christmas.
Well, when we left for China in Feb. she asked me to find some fabric for the one she was going to make Elizabeth.  So, Raggedy Ann has TRUE Chinese fabric on for her dress, pantaloons and shoes AND Andy has fabric from Farmer Pa's old jeans.  
This is soooo special and such a work of love!
AND
Elizabeth LOVES them!

Well, this is drawing to the end of a very LONG day -- 
Yep, we arrived home after 10 pm.

BUT

We are so unbelievably blessed!
Elizabeth said, 'That was the best Christmas!'
Of course, I had to laugh! 
 It was her FIRST Christmas.  

All of our children had a great day!  They all got many gifts and gave many as well!

BUT

We are all greatful for the most amazing gift of all
AND
that is the gift that our God gave us ...
HIS SON
JESUS!

All I can say in humble adoration is,
"THANK-YOU, LORD!"

Merry Christmas to You

Our family wishes you a 

VERY

Merry Christmas!

Our prayer is that all remember the REAL reason for this season ---

JESUS!

Christmas Eve!

Traditions!

Every year we go to my parents for Christmas Eve.

The kids are overly excited for the evening because of all of the fun traditions that will take place!!!!

Tradition #1
Santa/Reindeer hats
AND
This year nanny added ----
LIGHTED noses :)

 Elizabeth was all into making faces -- even though all the others were happy!

 Nose kisses :)

 Santa Elizabeth!

LOVE!!!

Tradition #2
Make your own PIZZA
Yes, this is a VERY BIG favorite.
Nanny even accommodated all of the gluten free folks :)

 Rollin out the dough!

 In the pan -- yes, this is her VERY first time :)
She's LOVING it!!!

Pick your own toppings!
Her favorite fruit is pineapple and she couldn't believe it is available to put on pizza!!

My Darling and her pizza ready for the oven.

Tradition #3
Open presents from nanny and pa!

The crew waiting for their turn.
Yes, one at a time :)

My Darling opening --
YES, she was overly excited about this one -- Loopdedoo -- a bracelet making 'thing'
Actually, it's pretty cool :)

 My Darling showing MD her violin tuner.  She HATES when her violin is out of tune!!

 MD's new guitar strap.

 JM LOVING his new blanket.

The girls watching me open one of my gifts.  It was shaped weird so we were all curious :)  It was a cupcake tree.  
AND
Yes, I wanted one!!

Tradition #4
NEW p.j.'s provided by nanny and pa.

 AND again,
she was VERY excited!

All 5 in their new p.j.'s

AND now time to relax for a bit --- hahaha.
REALLY --
Time to play/use the new gifts.

 Elizabeth got a lap harp.  She LOVES music but it is a struggle to find something she can play -- she doesn't have lots of upper body strength and with short arms and only 5 fingers -- well, it's hard :)
BUT 
This seems to work.  MD tuned it for her, I gave her a short lesson on following notes
AND
she was actually able to follow the music and play Amazing Grace :)

 The girls and I watching the video on youtube about how to make bracelets on My Darlings new Loopdedoo.

 My Darlings first bracelet.  Nice job!

Yep, and one tired daddy sleeping.
He's just gearing up for everything we need to finish up when we get home :)

Again, we are overly blessed.
It is so much fun to spend time with family
AND
to watch the wonder and excitement of children
especially when it is the first time for someone.
REALLY
It's priceless!!!

Cookies!!!!

Traditions!!!

Cookie making day at Farmer Nanny's!!!!

The ENTIRE family joins in for hours of cookie making :)
There are 4 siblings in Matt's family
each with a spouse = 8
AND
a total of 13 children
ages 5 to 15.
EQUALS
FUN (and a mess, too)

Thankfully, nanny has all the dough made before we arrive.
5 butter cookie batches and 3 gingerbread cookie batches

 Some of the girls helping Aunt Audrey cut out cookies.

 Elizabeth showing off one of her Christmas tree cookies.

More cutting out!

 Once they come out of the oven --
everyone starts decorating.
LOTS of frosting!!! Yes, we use mustard and ketchup bottles filled with frosting to cut down on the mess.

 She's trying!

 More decorators!

 Just gotta eat the broken ones.  
YUMMY!

 Lots of help!

Many, Many gingerbread men/boys!

Beautiful!

After we are all done, each family gets to take some home.
BUT
Some of the cookies are added to the baskets that are delivered to some of the 'neighbors.'

Yes, it is getting harder and harder to get everyone together before Christmas to do this -- especially with all the kids getting older.
BUT
It was well worth the effort
AS
there is much fun 
working together!!!

Last Day of School --

Well, the wish for a snow day has failed!!!

Yes, there is SNOW 

BUT 

Not enough to stay home!

 The girls seem to love the snow coming down.

 Another cutie!!

AND

for the record --

the mommy, who had to drive to work/school in this, was NOT overly happy.

Snow is definitely NOT something I like!!!

Warm, southern weather is more my style -

Elizabeth and My Darling  had to bring the vegetable platter for their class party.  SO, we made a Christmas tree vegetable platter for 30.  It turned out adorable AND there was very little left!

I was able to get out of school in time (and thankfully, the weather had cleared up a bit) to pick-up the girls at their school.

They were so surprised AND excited --

they hate riding the bus.

Really,

This mommy is SO excited to start the LONG Christmas break.

I just couldn't wait to get them :)

I LOVE spending time with my family.

FUN,FUN,FUN