Everything else after Day 18!

 Man, the rest of the time went down in a blaze of glory (and a blur). I was doing a countdown for Joshua while doing one for the kids and it all was pretty crazy. Next year, I think we're scaling back on the gifts. I'll still do an advent with the kids, but it will be more Christ-centered than winter-centered. Maybe some days will just be a small candy or cheap toy instead of something I have to orchestrate and buy supplies for. Oh well, live and learn. Anyway, commence with the photos!

The kids in their traditional Christmas Eve jammies. Ryan's, although a 3T, were still too small!

A trip to the Christian book store and we brought home this nativity for the kids to play with (since they knocked the head off Gabriel from the other set). What do my kids do? Set up a nativity conga line. When I asked Bella about it, she said they were in line to take their turn on top of the manger (when you press the button the star lights up and plays "Away in a Manger.).

Let the ripping paper begin! The kids spent Christmas morning unwrapping gifts from us, Maga and Papa, and their "aunts" Jessica and Amy.

Here's the loot from Round ONE!

There's nothing particularly Christmas related about this, I just love the look on his face.

We were blessed to have Uncle Jeff and ALL the cousins with us for New Year's Eve. We had such a fun time!

We all went to Snapperz-a Chuck E. Cheese for kids (and adults). Here's Joshua and Ryan shooting hoops.

Brian and April went head to head in a driving game. Brian hit the turbo button at the last minute and finished first.

Everyone pitched in to play this game!