Christmas '09 -Part 2

We had about a full week of celebrating this year! We love this time of year to spend with our families and we could not be more blessed with a better set of them! This last month at our MOPS meetings they have been talking a lot about getting along with family at the holidays and I had taken it so for granted how easy our families are. Now I'm not saying they are perfect, but for the most part there is not a lot of drama, but excitement to see one another!

Our first get together was my dad's side of the family and we all (minus a couple cousins) made it the weekend before Christmas. My parents hosted it in the gym and had a great time of amazing food, gifts, watching our kids play with one another and reminiscing about the days when us cousins made so many special memories at the holidays!

Kate got the old school Little People schoolhouse! I love all the old toys that we used to play with coming back now and getting them for my kids!

Mackenzie and my cousin's little girl Jessica played the whole entire day together and we didn't hear a word. They are so good for each other.....holding their own! They got matching Fancy Nancy phones from my grandparents!

Then we celebrated Mackenzie's birthday on that next Monday, followed by heading to IL for Aaron's side of the family on Wednesday evening. It seemed like all or our time together this year seemed to be more rushed. All the family was together minus one of Aaron's brothers.

Besides me almost burning the house down by throwing a towel over a candle we had a great time with my in-laws and the cousins had a great time. Thanks Grandpa and Grandma Musselman for Mackenzie's Barbie house set and Kate's Dora tent with a tunnel!

Less than 24 hours later we were heading to my family Christmas. This year it was a little different as my sister and brother in law had to fly out on Christmas Day for his sisters wedding in California.

So this year we did our Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve!

Thanks Dad and Mom for all your work....the dinner was delicous!

And our Christmas morning earlier than normal......our traditional annual Christmas picture on the steps, minus Kate who we couldn't decide if we should wake up or not!

I love it that we still do it the way that I did growing up. It probably helps that I still have a little brother that is in junior high and as of right now we are the only one with kids!

Thanks Grandpa and Grandma Massner for all the fun presents.....Legos will always be a kid favorite. Mackenzie got her first set of the little legos.....and pink! Kate got the Farm Jumbo lego set!

Mackenzie doing one of her many craft kits and Mommy showing off her new robe......first ever robe! I love it!
Daddy sporting Mommy's new robe.....the color is perfect for you hunny!

Mackenzie playing her new Dora leapster game and notice the earrings she has on. Do you remember those stick on earrings you had as a little girl.....Aunt Amy of course!

We had a fun relaxing Christmas day at my parents and then we headed home so we could have our own family Christmas the next morning.

Forgive the picture quality....I guess I should have asked for a new camera for Christmas!!! This is also the best one I could get of the girls in front of the tree.

Squint and look closely and you'll see Kate's new sunglasses! My girls love them and really we haven't gone through that many ....but Mackenzie had accidentally stepped on Kate's so we needed a new pair!

Mackenzie excited about her Preschool Teacher Barbie set! One thing we wanted to get her this year was Barbie stuff. She has several Barbie's and a swimming pool, but not a whole lot to really play with furniture wise. She is just getting into them and since we have to plan for the whole next year of what she'll be into....well! Another thing Mackenzie got was a Lite bright and Kate a sit n spin....like I said earlier we enjoy getting them the things we used to play with as kids.

We wrapped up the celebrations on Saturday with my paternal grandfather's side of the family....yes I said Grandpa....his family, 13 siblings in all, still get as many together as possible every year! Then on Sunday we headed back to IL for my mom's side of the family....sorry no pics yet! I let my mom be my photographer if she's there..... hence the above photos!!

It's an enjoyable time getting together with everyone for the holidays....then on Monday you kind of have the let down of adrenaline and by Tuesday you are thankful for some normalcy!

Here is one of our Christmas card pics! Better late than never, but Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you readers from our family to yours!

May you all reflect on the real reason we celebrate Christmas not just now but throughout the year!