Christmas Break

We just got home from visiting family in Mountain Home for Christmas. It was a great week and we loved getting to spend so much time with family. Especially our family that was visiting from far away, like Aunt Laura and Uncle David and Aunt Michelle. 

We spent the week playing with our new Christmas toys, reading, watching movies and hanging out together. 

 

I love these pictures of Aunt Michelle with my kiddos. 

She's such a natural and I love watching them bond.

And Tanner worked hard to get in lots of face time with his Aunt Laura. They have such a cute little relationship. 

Tanner got so many Star Wars lego sets for Christmas. He spent many hours building lego ships and it was not uncommon to find him at the kitchen table, building away. 

We did manage to squeeze in a family photo session.

Unsurprisingly, it was a little difficult to get a good shot with so many young kids, but all in all, it went pretty great.

I love this goofy one!

Then some of just the grand kids with Nanny and Papa. 

I love these two so much!

The OG- I couldn't ask for better parents or siblings. 

And all the adults

Grandkids alone- Benson was not being cooperative. 

And I love this family shot of us. Seriously one of my favorite pictures we've had taken in a while. 

And I just love this man of mine. 

After family pictures, we went back home and Aunt Michelle and Uncle David made everyone the most amazing crepes. Michelle had a menu made and everyone got to pick their toppings. 

Oh and one day the girls got to go out (without kids) and enjoy some time together. We went to get some Greek food for lunch and then went to see "Little Women". It was such a great movie and a great day spent with all the Drake women!

 

After the girls got home, we ate dinner and then the boys went out to see the new Star Wars movie.

Tanner was so happy to be included and to get to hang out with all the adults.

The rest of the week was just more of the same- family time- including Tanner trying to wrestle with his Aunts. 

And Aunt Laura helped the kids write a play, which they performed for everyone. 

Taking their final bow

Aunt Laura is so great. The kids loved this play so much. It was super weird, but they had a great time performing it for everyone. 

We got home today and we are all feeling a little exhausted, but it was such a great break. 

We have to run Aunt Laura to the airport in the morning and we are going to miss her so much.

 So we are back in NWA now and planning a fun party for NYE. 

Stay tuned!

Christmas Day

Christmas morning came oh so very bright and early.

The kids were up before dawn and it made for a very early start to our day. 

After all the rest of the cousins and family woke up, we watched as the kids searched for the Christmas pickle. 

Happily, Bailey found the pickle this year, so she got to open the first present. 

She was so thrilled and loved opening the first present of the morning. She opened her present from Nanny and Papa and revealed a movie, some books and a polly pocket that she wanted. She was so excited. 

Then all the rest of the kids busted into their presents. It was a madhouse for a while, but so fun!

Meanwhile, Benson wasn't interested in opening presents. He just wanted to play with his Uncle David. 

The kids had a great Christmas. They got so many presents and they loved them all!

Benson was pretty thrilled with this gift- He LOVES Buzz Lightyear so much right now. 

After the kids had finished opening their gifts, Papa and Nanny took them downstairs to show them their newest addition to the basement fun zone. They got a "Ninja Turtle" arcade game. The kids were so excited. 

So while the kids played downstairs with the new arcade game and their new toys, the adults opened their gifts. It was a much quieter affair. We were all appropriately spoiled. 

Then we worked on Christmas dinner, took naps, played and ate our delicious dinner.
It was a great Christmas and I always feel like it goes by way too fast. This year was no exception.

The day flew by with lots of laughter, playing, napping and eating.
Merry Christmas Everyone! 

Christmas Eve

T'was the day before Christmas and we were all set to drive to Mtn. Home to see our family.

But before leaving for Mtn. Home today we did a few of our favorite Christmas Eve traditions. We managed to fill our manger pretty full of straw and we placed our baby Jesus in the manger this morning and talked about all the service we did and why we did it. 

Benson loved getting to take care of baby Jesus. How cute is he kissing the little baby figurine?

We also said goodbye to our elves this morning too. 

And then we smashed our gingerbread houses. 

Benson was totally into this year. 

Then we loaded up and drove to Mountain Home. With Aunt Laura in the car, the trip went pretty smooth. The kids were so excited to finally get there and see all their family. 

Aunt Michelle immediately went to work helping the kids make Christmas cards. 

The kids got lots of snuggles and smiles in with their aunts and uncles. 

We hung out with everyone for a few hours and then we decided to visit a local nursing home and do some caroling. It was so fun. The residents were so happy to see us. It was so sweet to see them open their doors and smile at us as we sang.
The kids even handed out the Christmas cards they made. 

Here we are before leaving the nursing home. 

After we got back from caroling, the Christmas eve fun continued. 

There was a knock at the door and a delivery was at the door. 

The pajama elves had delivered the Christmas pajamas, so the kids got changed and then Aunt Michelle read the book to all the kids. We just love Aunt Michelle! She's the best. 

After the story, the kids got to sprinkle their reindeer food on the lawn. 

And then Nanny and Papa had special gifts for all the kids.
They handed out the gifts and the kids all opened them at once. 

They each received a new super soft blanket and they loved them.  

Then we said good night and tucked the kids in with their new blankets.
Now Santa can come and we can't wait.