Seeing Family

The day after Christmas, we headed down to New Jersey to celebrate with Brandy and John. 

The stink face

Horses!

The newlyweds' first Christmas

Playing with the kids' new game

(photo credit: William)

With Brandy and Penelope

We only stayed a night before heading to Indiana. 

On our first night in Martinsville, we had dinner and a Christmas sing-along with both sets of grandparents.

Then we all played Telestrations.

(photo credit: William)

(photo credit: William)

(photo credit: William)

Afterward, the kids headed to Grandma and Grandpa's house for a sleep over, as the next day we'd be celebrating Christmas morning at their house. 

Christmas

A belated Merry Christmas! This may have been our last year--at least until their teens--when we'll wake up before the kids on Christmas morning. 

"Mommy, I'm not awake yet."

Neither is this one.

Stocking time

With my card from Avonlea Jane

Horsey books! From the photo, you can tell we have a shortage of books, though all of those are holiday books.

A tag fell off, and Daddy accidentally opened Avonlea Jane's tent after I said the bag was for him.

The couple who thinks alike . . . We both bought the other exactly the same size ceramic pan.

Aunt Tori and Uncle John got us an ice cream maker! Hello, paleo ice cream. 

The big gift of the morning was the castle Daddy made the kids.

Avonlea Jane picked out a gift by herself. She bought this dress because she said I could wear it and be matchy-matchy with Uncle Dillon. She knows my love of the matchy-matchy. Perhaps I can also be a flight attendant for Halloween. 

William was a big help in making breakfast. 

(Photo credit: William)

Christmas evening, we had a full house with 20-some people for dinner, gifts, and games. 

Avonlea Jane opens a pink scarf her friend Taran picked out, bought, and wrapped himself.

Opening a case of dress up items from Robert and Leticia. 

Modeling his new backpack

Christmas Eve

We were fortunate to spend Christmas Eve night over at the house of the M. family.

Geoff working on pizza

Watching a movie in pajamas while they wait for dinner

Putting together his new stable puzzle

Trying her hand at sewing for the first time

Ta-da!

Christmas cookies and Cards Against Humanity with Micky, Christine, and Geoff

Christmas Pageant

Our cute little horse

Our cute pair

After the regular fellowship, the kids gathered for a reading of The Night Before Christmas. Somehow, Will snagged a seat of honor.

He was so happy to be sitting on Valentina's lap while singing Rudolf.

A special visitor arrived

Getting a present from Santa

Hannah, who was home from college in Scotland, helped Will to unwrap his new puzzle. 

Our big kid getting her gift

"It has a horse!"

After the church Christmas party

Will wanted to take some pictures.

Avonlea Jane did, too.