Christmas!

This year we were able to stay at home on Christmas Day until about 2:30.  It was the most fun and relaxed Christmas Day that we've had as a family.  I woke up around 6:30 to start breakfast, and Big Sister woke up not long after.  She ran into the living room to check the status of the stockings, and excitedly exclaimed, "He came!!  It's my favorite day of the whole YEAR!"  We took turns checking out our stockings and the kids opened their gifts from Santa before we had breakfast (cinnamon rolls, baked oatmeal with peaches and hash-brown casserole).  After breakfast we took our time opening presents and playing with all the fun new toys!  Around 11:00, Papa and Grams came over to visit and check out all of the kids gifts.  Later in the afternoon we joined John's family at his parents' house to celebrate with all of the Dudleys :)

Santa presents!

Little Bud was SO excited when he saw his basketball goal

Santa brought the 2 things she wished for!

Big Sister crafted so many beautiful gifts for us all 

(she worked on making gifts just about every day in December)

Santa brought Little Bud 2 rescue bots

Elsa and Mike hooded towels

 

Big Sister got the last 2 dolls to complete her Small World collection

Little Bud got a hot wheels track from his cousins, and he thinks it is super cool!!

Christmas Eve

John was off on Christmas Eve, and we spent the day at home wrapping gifts, watching Christmas movies and baking cookies.  After dinner, Papa and Grammie came over and brought birthday balloons for Jesus.  Sending a birthday card and balloons to Jesus has been a tradition in John's family since his brother Philip was little.  The kids love sending the balloons off!

Before dinner we lit all of the candles in the Advent wreath

and sang Happy Birthday to Jesus!

Happy Birthday balloons for Jesus!

completed nativity advent calendar

Big Sister put the star on top of our 

tree advent calendar (a gift from sweet friends!)

cookies and milk for Santa!

Dudley Family Christmas, Rounds 1 and 2

The Monday before Christmas, we celebrated Christmas with John's immediate family.  His brother and his family were out of town on Christmas day, so we got together ahead of time to celebrate.  John's mom made a lovely meal for us and afterwards we exchanged presents and the kids opened their overflowing stockings!

Big Sister and Little Bud's little cousin pretty much stole the show; 

she's the cutest!

Little Bud LOVES his remote control car!!

Grammie made Big Sister the BEST table tent!  It is the cutest thing ever!!

 

Gigi made Big Sister the loveliest Elsa cloak

When the celebration was winding down, 

Santa Claus came by to wish the kids Merry Christmas

Christmas afternoon, we went back to Papa and Grammie's to celebrate with John's

extended family.  It was great to visit with the everyone; we live so close together, but 

somehow we all stay too busy, and don't see each other as often as we should.