Christmas Highlights Vol III (The last one I promise!)

Okay, looks like Santa came, but first things first....they gotta eat.

This turned out so sweet! But I am sure I said something like, "you can't open another gift until you hug so I can take a picture! "

Hail to the Redskins! Fight for old DC!

Thank you Santa!

Lauren couldn't wait to get started with her cupcake baking set and Thomas couldn't wait to transform into Indiana Jones and bust out the bow and arrow set.

Connor and Uncle Jeff (above) open some gifts together. Below, our newest cousin Grace is wide eyed on her first Christmas.

These girlies are going to be best buds as they grow up. How fun to have cousins so close in age. Holding the girls are my sister in law Ashly and my grandma Guylene (Grandma, are you hiding behind Claire on purpose?). My children have FIVE GREAT GRANDPARENTS. Isn't that wonderful?

Ronan says "please just get me out of here"...

Claire says "let's party some more!"

Santa brought sleeping bags for everyone so they had a slumber party in the living room Christmas night. What a fun way to end the day!

Hope you all had a merry Christmas...we sure did!

Christmas Highlights 2009 Vol II

Thomas with Grandpa Denis and Grandma Sallie. Let me start by saying that there are a LOT of pictures in this post, but considering that I was trigger happy with my new camera and took about 600 photos, I think I narrowed it down pretty well. But then again this is just Christmas Eve! And I must also say CURSE YOU blogspot because I can't ever remember to load pictures in reverse order especially since you can only load five at a time and have to do multiple uploads! Okay...anyway..this is us at the end of our wonderful Christmas Eve get together. We had just returned from Mass and I promised the kids they could open one last present before bed. HATS and SWEATERS!!! Luckily not too exciting and off they went to bed eager to shut their eyes so that Santa would arrive.

This is what a coordinated present opening looks like with five kids ages 6yrs and younger. Goofballs!

This is my Grandma Joy...she is hilarious and wonderful. Claire is Claire Cecilia after her, Joy Cecilia. I hope that Claire has some of my grandma's joy in her life.

My brother Tim doesn't like to be photographed....except doing "Burque" face! This is like a half burque. :) Ha! I am sure many of you have no idea what I am talking about. Grady family humor I guess.

Boopie Doop... with Grandpa!

Lexi, Tim, Tammy, Samantha and Autumn (Jeff is missing).Grammy and Gramps, Carol and Jerry.

Ronan and Claire above with aunt Sam and aunt Lexi, and Ronan below looking up at his great grandpa Bobby.

Our beautiful mothers.... Crazy aunt Tammy got the kids these swirly straws...so fun!

Lauren was all too happy to model her new coat and hat from Grammy.

This is everyone opening the ornaments that the kids made for them this year. Everyone got a different color.

Lauren's reactions to things never disappoint!

My grandma Joy and grandpa Bobby

Adam Thornton (Tammy's husband) raises a glass.

We had such a good time on Christmas Eve! It was wonderful to have so much of our family at our home. The kids were in heaven! Heading to Mass was the perfect ending to a perfect day...taking a little time to remember what the holiday is really all about.