My Favorite Day of the Year

Today was the day that I looked forward to all month. I LOVE Christmas and everything leading up to it, but it can get overwhelming and exhausting by its completion. That's why I cherish the day after Christmas when we can sleep in, stay in our PJs and just play together all day. I try to make it a point not to leave the house on the 26th if at all possible. Charlie started the morning off with a bang when he discovered that the batteries for his new remote controlled car were charged.

Daddy showed him how to make a ramp.

Taylor had fun with her new salon doll. I had one of these when I was little.

Morgan played with whatever was not hers.

The umbrellas were a big hit this year. The kids ignored Dad's warning of bad luck and went to town opening and closing them.

For Charlie, it was pretty much a Spider-Man Christmas.

Taylor really got the hang of her bouncy ball and caught some air in the process.

The stocking stuffers were just as popular.

Mom and Dad especially liked playing with the kids' new tops.

Another favorite of mine was Charlie's new Busy Town game.

After rolling the dice through the control tower you load passengers at the Busy Town Airport into your plane. Then comes the fun part: flying them to one of four destinations throughout the room and gathering souvenirs. Taylor played this four times. (the last time she played by herself, pretending to be two people.)

After many hours of playing it was rest time. Even mom got to sneak in a little nap. She was awoken by the family telling her that they voted on a skyline dinner. At first, I protested at the thought of breaking my rule and leaving the house, but then Mark said the magic words. "This way you don't have to clean up after them." I couldn't argue with that. Plus it gave us an opportunity to don our new holiday threads.

Here's hoping everyone reading this had a relaxing day with family, too. There's really nothing better.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas was a wonderful day at the Williams house. Charlie was the first one awake. He and I snuck a peek at the presents under the tree before waking the girls. (We had to wake them up because we planned on going to church at 10:30 and didn't want to rush.)

We started with the stockings and mommy seized the opportunity to take her annual christmas morning photo with all of her babies.

At our house Santa brings three gifts, because that's how many Jesus got on the first Christmas. They did each get one from Mom and Dad, one from each other, and a bonus joint gift from Santa. Charlie was thrilled to get his Spider-Man costume.

We took our time and played with the toys as they opened them.

Then we had a nice breakfast of cinnamon rolls, bacon and oranges. We usually go to church on Christmas Eve, which is always packed. This year we went to the Christmas morning service. It was not crowded at all and we sat right in front by the choir. The kids looked so cute in their Sunday best. I couldn't resist setting up the tripod when we got home and capturing the moment.

After playing with some toys at home and eating lunch, we headed for Christmas at the Damons. This year I was in charge of taking the group photo. Thanks to my new tripod and my new flash, it was a breeze. I love all these people!!

Poor Morgan only got a short nap in the car so she spent the first hour or so cuddling with Grandma.

The girls had a great time playing with Taylor's new Squinkies.

Alison was in little cousin heaven.

Morgan really came around and played with everyone at the house. I barely even saw her!

The house was filled with good food...

and drinks.

Grace and Jacob got new cameras for Christmas and took pictures of everyone.

The boys found some people to wrestle with them.

They both loved antagonizing people, but were not always good at taking what was dished out to them.

After dinner I found Taylor waiting patiently by the tree for the presents to be opened.

Everyone gathered in the living room and again, we took our time and enjoyed watching everyone open their gifts from the gift exchange.

We stayed late enjoying the company of our family and drove home with our hearts and tummies full.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was a busy day. We started by piling the kids in the car in their Christmas jammies and heading to Grandma's house for breakfast.

We arrived before the Wells family so I snuck in one picture with the kids before heading to the kitchen. I love Charlie's face in this one!

Before snapping this picture, I asked Charlie to show me his "Christmas face". This is what he came up with.

Finally it was time for breakfast, our traditional breakfast casserole and pancakes.

We took our time opening presents this year and watched what each person received. Someone suggested that we go oldest to youngest so grandma went first!

Addison stayed awake for all of the activity.

Charlie was thrilled to get a Spider-Man watch.

If we couldn't tell that she was excited about this gift by her face,

her very enthusiastic thank-you hug for grandma told it all!

Morgan sat on her grandma's lap for almost the whole time.

Taylor kindly delivered her presents to her and helped open them.

Amongst all the activity,

was a lot of fun,

mischief,

and love!

Before we left we attempted to get a picture of Grandma with all of her grandchildren. Some were more in the mood than others.

After a brief down time at home, Grandpa and Uncle David came over. We had a delicious dinner of fried rice, potstickers and egg rolls, and an even more delectable dessert (molten chocolate cake). Then we opened more gifts. Morgan really got the hang of her Pillow Pet that Uncle David gave to her.

We had a lot of fun spending time together and soon it was 8:45! We decided that the kids should go to bed so they'd be asleep when Santa came.

So they got their cookie plate ready and set it near the fireplace in anticipation for his arrival.

And I like to think that visions of sugar plums danced in their heads...