We took Christmas on the road this year to the Keys house, the other Keys.
My parents many times took us to my Grandmother's house to spend Christmas night there. As an adult however, I've enjoyed a Christmases at home with my own little family. The long drive to one part of the family only to spend a few days home before a long drive to see the other relatives just seemed like too much at an already hectic time. Right now I am resting between trips. How did my parents do it? I guess I'm just a Christmas homebody. The kids however ate it up!Dorathea was especially happy to have a Christmas "close together" as she said with more family. So here is our "Close together Christmas";
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| Stories on the night before Christmas |
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| I found 9 blankets (no exaggeration) on the kids bed in the morning. Nana makes sure they are warm. |
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| Dorathea woke up first and waited patiently to open up her stocking. This girl is growing up! Here she is drawing with her much desired 12 colored ink pen from the stocking as she waits. |
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| Jonathan with sugarplums dancing. |
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| Jonathan wakes up! The stocking pillaging begins! |
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| There were little treasure boxes in the toe with gold chocolate coins inside.Then we had a quiet breakfast with Nana and Papa waiting for Uncles and Aunts and Cousins to arrive. |
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| First came Uncle Bob, and Aunt Kim! Then lots of cousins, then... |
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| Aunt Kristie and Uncle Kieth! Jonathan has on his elf hat that he also stashes small toys in. |
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| After a BIG lunch of ham and smoked turkey, It's time to open presents! |
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| The kids gave their Aunts and Nana calendars I bought at Micheal's that they pasted photos and scrapbook paper in. |
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| I got a hand painted plate from Jonathan! Dorathea gave me a thoughtful jar candle she bought at the Awana Christmas store for me. These kids are getting so big! |
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| They opened box after box of Legos together. Then 5 awesome boy cousins helped them put them together. They are such sweet guys! |
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| Ted and his parents and sisters! |
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| Home unpacking the Legos into their new home, a Lego table Ted made a couple years ago. |
Merry Christmas!
