Knowing that the next few years of Christmas might be a little crazy for us (as we will be just visiting for a few weeks from Mexico), I asked my family if I could host Ruda Christmas this year at our house. It was a wonderful time and I was savoring moments of us all being together (March is getting uncomfortably close all of a sudden!) My parents came up Christmas Eve and left a few days later, but not without giving Ben and I an entire lunch through bedtime date day as a Christmas gift! It was fabulous and we were so grateful!
We started out Christmas morning with the best gf/df cinnamon rolls ever (we ordered them from a local bakery we love...no credit given to me!) Then I made everyone take a ton of pictures in front of the tree, using Christmas presents as a bribe to get cooperative children. It worked out fantastically.
I love how all the boys are wearing their Christmas hats. My dad took this picture; it's excellent!
Rare whole family picture
And another (Great picture of both the twins! Sam on left, Seth on right)
And the grandparents and grandkiddos (With my beautiful new mantel in the background. Uncle Glen and Aunt Tani gave us the wood and made the metal brackets for us for my dream mantel, and Ben installed in time for our stockings to be hung on it for Christmas. I love it!)
The twins wanted to open the presents that they bought and made for each other first. Sam made Seth a new paper Seahawks football uniform for his little stuff monkey. Seth made Sam a "Christmas Activity book." So sweet and thoughtful!
They love each other
Joshy got a new "Duck" book (by Jez Alborough...our favorites!) from Papa and Titi and wanted to read it immediately. 
Nothing better than a twin hug (okay, maybe one with Santa hats on)
Josh loves wearing shirts with Ducks on them, so we bought him a new one...it's bright!
Josh checking out Grandma's new shirt
My parents bought these swords and shields for the kids back in Minnesota at a Renaissance fair and then painted them. It was such a special gift!
They have already gotten a lot of use and we hear a lot of swords clashing around the house!
Ben and the boys filled my stocking with lots of goodies such as socks, chocolates, earrings, magazines, a Starbucks gift card, and my favorite: leg warmers. I felt very special.
The Plato's joined us midday and we had a special ham dinner. Katie's girls are growing up so fast and are getting so beautiful!
Edmund and Josh: two rascals!
We had the children take a break from running around like crazy kids to watch a little "Mr. Bean." My boys had never seen it before and loved it! They ask to watch it all the time now.
We are all just in love with Katie's youngest, John Henry.
He is just so darn sweet
Trying to get a picture of the three littlest...it didn't work too well.
One of the best moments of the day was Josh making funny noises at Henry and making him laugh.
John Henry loved Josh's goofiness!
Full hands and hearts for my parents!
No comments:
Post a Comment