Kennedy Christmas

We rushed home to change clothes from Michelle's house and then over to the church for our Kennedy Family celebration.  For the last few years, Grandma and Grandpa have rented out the church and had a meal catered in as their gift to us.  The food was amazing and we were only missing a few which was so nice to see everyone.

I loved hanging out with Bailey and Abby.  It's always nice to catch up.

I made them take pictures before we all left.  Grandpa was literally joking about touching Grandma's butt when I took this picture.  I simply adore them.  They are the best!

They just had their 62nd anniversary on the 20th.  

One of my cousins snuck out before we took the pics so we were missing his 2 boys and Dave and Kate's 2 boys.  15 out of 19 is still pretty good though.  We have 2 more coming in 2015 too.  

And one with the original 6. From left to right: Karen, Mom, Dan, Grandma, Grandpa, Diane, Matt, and David

Riella getting loved on by the big girls Gigi and Ashlyn.  They are so sweet and fun!

Brown Family Christmas

We had a pajama party Christmas celebration with the Brown's at Michelle and Robert's place this morning.  We had a delicious brunch and played first.

Sweet Jaxson was cheesing it up like crazy for the big camera (with the flash) but refused to smile for my phone.  Aunt Amy fail!

Nonno and Riella playing.

Robert and his mom enjoying some coffee together.

Nonna and Riella

Just before presents.  It's tough getting a pic of all these kiddos...especially with the excitement of gifts.

Aunt Chelle got Ryker a butterfly kit.  He was SOO excited about it!

We got Nathan a Captain America mask.  He was so excited and couldn't wait to model it for us.

Santa Baby!

The sisters. :-)

Brown siblings.

Christmas at Grandma Thacker's

We had Christmas up at Grandma Thacker's tonight.  Dave and Kate were with her family in Cincinnati for her dad's surprise 60th birthday party and unable to make it.  My other 2 cousins didn't come either.  This is the only time we see that side of the family so it was sad for us to not all be together this one evening a year, but we made the best of it.  Grandma worked so hard making dinner and setting everything up for us.

The kids love playing Grandma's piano.  Cam loves hamming it up for us.

Time for presents!

She thought this teddy bear was great.

Cam was in his element getting lots of attention from everyone.   

Helping Papaw open gifts.

Pictures time with Grandma. :-)

Day After Christmas

Everyone was up late and then laid around in bed for a while before we got going this morning.

We finally headed outside for more hockey time.  Riella and I made loops around the cul de sac while the boys played.

He loves hockey!

Cam is getting better and better.

Robert and I had a date night tonight.  We went to see Unbroken.  I read the book this year and loved it.  I couldn't wait to see the movie.  It was so good and I loved sharing the story with Robert (who basically refuses to read).

Merry Christmas!

Ryker slept til about 7:30 and then was very anxiously waiting for Cam to get up.  We had to wake up Riella and finally heading downstairs a bit after 8:00.

Getting their first look at what Santa left!

Hockey gear! Woohoo!  They each asked Santa for roller skates, but had talked about hockey sticks too.  We got a great deal on a whole set with the goal and went for it.  They were beyond excited!

Riella loved her Playskool set.  She loves the little people.

Headlamps in their stockings were a huge hit.

He wanted to put them on right away.

The kids each get 3 gifts from us.  Ryker was pumped about his science kits.

And his new Kindle Fire.  Both of the boys got one and love them.  We like the educational aspect of it and the ability to control exactly what they do on their and for how long.  Good stuff!

We all got New Pal gear too.  Daddy was happy to have something to wear to games finally.

Ryker picked out these s'mores socks for Robert.  Robert is addicted to s'mores and I thought it was hilarious that this is what he picked out!

Beard tee for my bearded man.  :-)

Ryker's gift for me he made at school.  It's so cute!

One of my fave gifts from Robert was this set of paint swatches.  It was really just to tell me he would paint the kids' bathroom over break while he was off work.  Woohoo!

And a new watch! Yay!

And boots!  I was totally spoiled this year. :-)

After we finished opening, we had to get changed and head outside to try out the skates and hockey gear.

They are obsessed.  The mild weather was perfect for us this year, we played outside for a long time before heading in.

Then it was time to build Ryker's robot.

This was the first year I can remember since we've been married that we didn't have anywhere else to be on Christmas Day.  It was SO nice to stay home and let the kids play with all their new toys and sit in our pjs and sip coffee.  I made a big brunch and we enjoyed that and lots of quality time.  It was amazing!

My parents came by in the evening and the kids showed off their loot and they played like crazy.  We ate leftovers from last night and watched a movie together.  

Christmas Eve

All ready for Christmas Eve service.

They were so stinkin' cute!

Family picture once we got back home.

Grandma, Grandpa, Mom, Dad, Uncle Matt, Aunt Lisa, Grant, and Lindsay all came over here after church and we had dinner.  We had soup and heavy hors d'oeuvres.  Everything was delicious and we had such a nice time with everyone.  It was nice having everyone here so we could still get the kids to bed at a decent time.

I try to get a picture like this when the 4 of us are together.  I'm so grateful for these women and their place in my life and I pray Riella grows up to be just like them.

The boys set out carrots and cookies and milk for Santa.  Ryker even left a gift for Santa.  (A gingerbread book he made at school).

Once everyone went home, the elves got to work assembling gifts and stuffing stockings.  This was our first year not wrapping gifts from Santa and taking them out of the box, etc.  I think it was a splendid idea!

Christmas Eve Eve

Today was baking/cooking/prep day.  The get togethers start tomorrow, so we spent time prepping today.  We cleaned the house and made food.

Riella made a mess with her clementine juice.  She tried it out as a styling product for her hair.  I must say the volume she achieved is admirable and I can attest to the hold being amazing!

My cookie baking helpers.

They're only in it for the rewards.  LOL!

Riella was cracking us up with this bag.  It is so funny to watch her be girly already.  She picked this up and put it on her arm and started waving goodbye.  It was pretty cute.