Christmas 2015

Merry Christmas 2015!  We had a really nice Christmas this year with mild temperatures, excited kids, family time, and lots to be thankful for.  I wish I had taken more pictures (as usual) but here is what I was able to capture.

Before church on Christmas Eve.  It was so warm that day that the kids didn't even need to wear coats. We went to the 4:00 kids' service which was a huge success.  The kids enjoyed the music, singing, and watching the other kids put on the play.  The end is always a hit with the glow sticks and "Silent Night."

 Quinn and her many poses.

 Are we in Ohio?!

 After church everyone (we were with Eric's side this year) came back to our house for food, drinks, and fun.  The kids had a blast hanging out with their cousins.  There was so much excitement in the room with the anticipation of Santa coming the next day!

 Pre dance party.  About 3 minutes later they were all dancing up a storm.

 The best we could get of all of them.

 Grammie and a handful of her granddaughters.

 Ready for Christmas morning!!!

 The kids woke up around 8:00 the next morning and we headed downstairs to check out the scene.  I was expecting more hysteria but it was actually a pretty calm experience.  They trotted down and leisurely checked everything out.

 The reindeer ate the carrots and left a mess!!

 Checking to make sure Santa drank his milk and ate his cookies.

 Quinn was pointing and exclaiming that she got a princess shovel.  Haha, this was not the first thing I thought she would be that excited about ;)

 A princess shovel!!!

 As the morning went on, she continued to doll herself up in all of her new headbands, jewelry, and princess accessories.  By the end of the morning she probably had on 3 headbands, 4 bracelets, and a variety of dresses.

 Ninja Turtle transformers.

 This girl applied make-up for hours!!  She put it on herself, me, Eric, and all her dolls.  I think Nolan was the one exception.  This was probably her favorite gift.

 Opening up his first Nerf gun.

 SO excited!  He had been asking for a gun for such a long time.  Luckily, Santa brought him one that came with a target so he can aim at that instead of at Quinn ;)

 Opening up their sleeping bags.

 I couldn't get the whole sleeping bag in the picture but they are large.  Like, they will be able to use these bags throughout high school.  Poor little Quinn barely takes up a quarter of it.

 Elsa is in the house.

 Worker dude.

 This is how Quinn looks most days now that Christmas is over.  Princess dress, jewelry, make-up bag, and a baby in the stroller.  Oh, and don't forget the heels!

 Haha, our Ninja Turtle.

Nolan got a chainsaw and a jack hammer which he has been using daily to do construction around the house.

Unfortunately, that's all I took pictures of!!  Things just got so busy that I missed the rest of Christmas day and the day after.  We headed over to Heidi and Kevin's house later that day for presents with the grandparents and cousins and a nice Christmas dinner.  On Saturday, my dad, Mary, Mackenzie, Darby and Rick came over for round three of Christmas.  It was nice to have everyone in town to celebrate and the kids had so much fun spending time with their family.  They were absolutely exhausted by Sunday and it took them a few days to "recover" but it was well worth it!