Early Christmas Eve

With Shawn out of the country and Thomas and Natalie taking their kids to DisneyWorld for Christmas I thought I would get an early start on Christmas and like my Gram used to say "Do it and get it over with" 

We have nine under nine this year and our house only has about 2,000 square feet so I wanted somewhere to go. We like to go to our community theatres so when I saw a shortened version of  The Nutcracker offered for families we got front row seats for $12 and we got our fancy clothes on and made a party of it.

The kids all loved it! Charlie dozed off during the first dance but other than that it kept every ones' attention.



This would have been a great picture if I would have gotten it in focus



This one probably would have been too



Tom still wouldn't put real pants on. He swears he has "swelling" around his waist



Love these two!

THEN WE WENT BACK TO THE HOUSE TO CELEBRATE

"CHRISTMAS EVE" PENNEY STYLE.

MY PARENTS SERVED SHEET PIZZA, CHICKEN, JO JO'S AND SHRIMP

WHILE THE GRANDKIDS PLAYED IN THE BASEMENT

Natalie and two of hers

Michele and a glass of wine Penney Style



Playing with a Manger set

Uncle Tommy had it all under control

THEN THE GIFT GIVING BEGAN. None for the grown ups.

Three each for the kids.



Papa seemed a bit grumpy so Thomas told all the kids GROUP HUG before we start

I would say it was just what he needed

A simple game from his 'cousins' and he was content



Papa did get a gift. The kids don't listen when we say don't buy us anything

I DO think it was a good purchase

Piper

Thomas and Natalie got all the kids Veggie Tales CD's with their names featured. Jack knew right away what it was. "Johnny Songs!"

Do you think Sami had enough "help"?

That's a Remote Controlled helicopter

I love you Mommy



We got "the boys" each a portable DVD player and they had no idea what it was

Uncle Chuckles and Aunt Chel got everyone a DVD. It's what he does

Jennifer made them each a little personalized backpack.
She's been burning up her machines lately

These are the two that got the helicopters

We got Ella a gift card for the American Girl store and I think Mommy and Aunt Nenni were just as excited. They got to go to the American Girl store with her.

We got three of the kids the new Innotab kids tablet



Lily got the whole Cinderella outfit and a Prince Charming doll

I think Uncle Tommy is loosing a little bit of the control

Then Ella asked if she could spend the night with us. So happy she still wants to spend time with us



Lily always wants to help so we let her put the chicken on the tray. She put one piece in each section and was done.

Ella slept in my shirt ( Christmas is more than comes from a store Christmas it seems is a little bit more) and our little guy slept in his new fireman coat. As a matter of fact he hasn't taken it off very much at all since he got it

Last but not least a couple from Jen's phone from Intermission.

 

love these kids!