Christmas

What a Christmas we had this year!  It was full of fun, laughter, visitors, gifts, and some sickness.  But it was another great Christmas in the McNeely house!  Christmas Eve started with the children's church service.  The 35 minute service is just the right amount of time for us.  Then its home to eat a yummy Christmas Eve dinner that Daddy made (this year it was lasagna).  After dinner it was time to put the cookies out for Santa.  Jake and Julianna had some set backs...Grace kept eating the cookies.

Once the plate was full (and I mean full!) they checked on Santa to make sure he was in route.  Yes, you can see where he is on some website Brian found.  Then it was off to bed so Mommy get wrapping!  The kids woke up early, around 6:30 and were super disappointed to hear they had to wait for Grace to wake up.  Finally around 7:00 she was ready to go!

Santa brought Jake a new basketball hoop, basketball and lots of stocking stuffers. Julianna got an art desk for her room with all the supplies.  Grace got a Minnie Mouse big wheel.  No, her feet don't reach the pedals but she grows like a weed so maybe by the spring she can ride it.  AND the whole family got a WiiU, which required a new TV.  So we are all set for some fun games!

We had lots of fun opening presents.  Each kid gets to pick a toy for their brother/sister.  It's funny how they talk about it.  Julianna was very specific and told Jake to buy her the Brave bow and arrow (which of course he did).  Grace gave her a Sophia the First amulet.  Julianna gave Grace a drum and Jake got Grace a Minnie Mouse doll.  Julianna picked out the Hulk smashing fists for Jake and decided Grace would give him the mask.  Turns out Grace was really more into being the Hulk.

We spent most of Christmas day putting toys together and setting up the Wii.  Brian was in bed sick so I figured it out.  The basketball hoop took a few days but that is up as well.  A few days after Christmas Jake came down with pneumonia.  But that didn't slow him down, he just got to rest and watch some TV in the afternoon.

Friday Brian's side of the family came for a visit.  The cousins all had a great time playing together and opening presents.  Saturday night the adults went to dinner.  Yeah, I found a babysitter for 7 kids...yikes!

After the McNeely's left, Grandma and Poppy came for a couple days.  They brought even more presents to open.  Grace got a Minnie Mouse apron and was put to work the very first day.  Grandma always makes cookies with us!  Although Poppy was sick, I think everyone managed to have a fun time.  We rang in the New Year together (sans Poppy and Grace who were sleeping).

Now I am trying to get back to normal after a very eventful Christmas vacation.  Wouldn't you know they cancel school the first day back because its cold.  What's one more day of fun, right?  I hope everyone had a great Holiday season and 2014 brings you lots of wonderful memories!