Christmas 2011

This year, Christmas was a lot different...and I am very thankful for that!!!  Because Jay's grandparents are in a nursing home, we have been doing separate Christmases instead of spending the time together with all of Jay's family like we used to.  These Christmases have been great too, but it is so much more exciting when everyone is together.  Plus, with us all the way in Missouri this year, I was afraid we would have to spend Christmas alone...that would not have been so fun.

Luckily, when the plan to spend Christmas in Kentucky came up at Grayson and Alecia's wedding, everyone hopped on board!!!  We spent several days in this great condo near Monticello, KY.  Everyone got to come except Jay's Aunt Janie and Uncle Dave.  It was awesome to spend time with everyone and see how excited the kids were about Christmas.

We did the same traditions this year as we have in the past...Jacob and Livy got new pajamas from Grandma on Christmas Eve.

We did start a new tradition with Jay making Stir Fry Christmas Eve night for dinner.  It was delish!!

Then...Santa came.  Since all the kids were sleeping upstairs in the condo, Santa took all their toys downstairs so he wouldn't wake them up!!!  Santa is pretty smart!!

 Santa did a great job.  He brought Livy her very own kitchen set, pots, pans, mixer, toaster, cookies to make...

 And a jeep, tea set, dress up fairy outfit, clothes...and more!!

 Livy was really excited to start making those cookies!!!

She also got a double baby stroller from Aunt Jill and Uncle Dale!!  She got lots more gifts too...games, puzzles, clothes, cups, bears...and much much more!!!

Later, Livy got to test out her jeep.  She got in it right away at first and just hit the pedal...but when everyone came out to watch, she wouldn't do it anymore.  I guess she is shy...yea right!!  After her cousins drove it around a bit and drover her around a bit, she decided it was pretty cool!!!

So she finally drove it!!!

So Christmas day was a blast!!  After seeing what Santa brought, opening presents, and playing outside...we had a great lunch!!!  Then, naps for everyone!!!  The adults got to go to the movies that night to see the new Sherlock Holmes movie (AWESOME!!!) which the grandparents kept the kids!!

And sadly, Monday we all had to pack up and go home.  But, it was a FANTASTIC weekend!!!  I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it and was so thankful everyone agreed to drive such a long distance (especially Grayson and Alecia!!!) so we could all be together!!!  Thanks everyone!!!