Shameless Photo Album of Christmas

This is going to be a long post with a ton of photos.  You've been warned.  This post is really for people like Aunt Karen and Uncle Jack, who couldn't be with us on Christmas, and who love my kids like they are their own. And also for my friend Patrice, whose kids are now teenagers.  She has helped me realize it does go SO fast, and that all the work is worth it.  I wanted them to see the happiness of our Christmas morning, so here it is!

                                          Before heading to Noche Buena at Marilyn's, Terry and the kids decorated the gingerbread house.  I was very proud of my husband, he relinquished control and let the kids help.  It's a Christmas miracle!!

                                                    My handsome man at Marilyn's

                                                        Terry and his mini-me
                                    

                                Waiting for the OK to come downstairs on Christmas morning. 

                                                               Lily's final hiding spot

                                 It was Michael's turn this year to put Baby Jesus in the manger.   

                                       I think Emily likes the Barbie Sophie gave her. 

                              Check it out Mom, Emily's dollhouse even has a TOILET! 

                     Terry's super cool hat with under the brim lighting.  G'pa Maier got one too. 

                                                           Oh my gosh...is it...can it be???

                                                    YEEEESSSSS!!!  It's Lanie! 

                                                          

                      Michael gets tools just like Daddy's.  Even has his own safety goggles now. 

                                               Who says the Batcave is just for boys? 

                        Emily's not too sure about whatever it was Grandma was saying.

                                                                 Me and Michael
 

                                                             Michael and Nana

                  Snow on Christmas Day in GA.  Last year that happened was 1882!

Got on my new footed pj's, laying on my pillow pet and playing with Michael's Leapster.  Yeah, life is good!!

Getting our Christmas On

Tree trimming can either be the picture perfect event that you might see on a Hallmark Card...or not.  Ours fell somewhere in between, but more toward the Hallmark Card.  That's because Terry did the hard parts while the kids were in school.  Hard parts would include bringing it from the garage to the front door, positioning it in the stand while I hold it (never fun for me), getting tree through front door and into front room.  Deciding which side looks best, trimming top and getting star to stay on top.  Then shimming up the side that makes it lean.  And lastly, stringing the lights.  So much easier without the running commentary of us telling the kids "hold on, we can decorate it in just a minute, no you can't help right now, PLEASE put the loping shears down"...And of course if the occasional iffy word DOES fly, no little ears are around to hear it.  This could be our new tradition in years to come.

So, the kids came home, and the excitement of opening the ornaments began.  It's always fun to unwrap each ornament and remember where each one came from.  Now that our kids are older, they understand there was a time before them, and they do enjoy hearing about Mom and Dad dating, being single, or ornaments left from their childhood.  Emily showed me a crocheted angel and told me how pretty she thought it was.  I told her that her Aunt Clare had made it.  Her eyes grew wide and she asked, "You mean, she sew-ded it?"  I told her yes, and that did she remember that was where her middle name came from?  She was Emily Clare after her Aunt Clare.  She walked back to the tree to hang the angel saying to herself, "Emily Clare, Aunt Clare, Emily Clare, Aunt Clare."  Makes those we miss seem not so far away when we can remember them and teach our kids about them.