One Last Gift.....

On the day after Christmas, we still had ONE last gift waiting to be opened. It was a gift from Santa for our whole family. Brian and I had decided to wait and open it on Christmas afternoon, but once everyone started coming over to our house it just got too busy. So, we thought it might be fun to just wait and open it on the 26th. After the kids played in the snow and ate some lunch, they just couldn't stand it any longer....they just HAD to open it......

Allie was clearly excited about the big box!

.......it's a Wii!!!!! YAY!!

Let the fun (and competitiveness) begin...haha!!!

It really SNOWED!!!!

What an amazing day after Christmas....something I never thought we'd see here in SC! Brian and I had fallen asleep on the couch and woke up at 2:30 in the morning to snow falling outside and a beautiful snow-covered yard. The kids were beyond excited when they woke up that morning and couldn't wait to go outside and play in it!

Trying to catch snowflakes on her tongue!

The kids loved being pulled by Daddy on the sled!

Allie had to pose with our deer in the front yard!

I LOVE this picture!

About to throw a snowball......

........at ME? Now that's just wrong!

My little Eskimos!

Merry Christmas...The big day is here!

It's Christmas morning and Santa's been here! I think Brian and I get just as excited as the kids do! It's so fun to see the kids expressions when they come into the room and see what Santa left them. This year Mason got lots of zhu zhu pet "stuff," some games for his DS, a grocery cart, and a hula hoop (Yes, he actually put that on his Christmas list! I think they use them in PE at school.) Allie got princess zhu zhu pets, a grocery cart, a princess cash register, and a little hula hoop. They loved everything! Stanley and Nikki joined us for brunch later that morning, as they do every year, and then Kay Kay and Uncle Rodney stopped by. It was such an exciting day for the kids and an exhausting one for us! Now bring on the day after Christmas SNOW!!!

Waiting patiently to see what Santa left!

The Christmas Tree in the playroom

LOVE these faces!

Mason checking out what Allie got.

Yay! The Kung Zhu DS game!

Allie loved her princess "lip gloss"

Trying out the new hula hoops!

Simba was checking out Allie's lip gloss....I think she thought it was food!

Stockings from Aunt Nikki and Uncle Stanley.

Gifts from each other!

Mason made his very own surprise gifts for everyone this year.....what a sweet boy! I sure am proud to be his mom!!

Uncle Stanley, Mason, and Daddy. (his gift he made them is in the blue bag)

Allie had to get in on the action!

Go Gamecocks!!! Future cheerleader!

The kids made me a My Melody at Build a Bear....they know I love me some Hello Kitty!

Kay Kay gives Mason a new Hess truck every year.

Chef Allie got a blender and coffee maker from Kay Kay.

Christmas Eve.....Here comes Santa Claus!!

For as long as I can remember, our Christmas Eve tradition has been to go to my grandma's (Nina's) house for an early dinner, go to the candlelight service at church (my absolute favorite service....so beautiful!), and then come back to Nina's house for dessert, coffee, and of course, the kids' favorite part.....opening presents!! It's always such a fun (and LONG) night.....by the time we all get back home it's almost midnight! Allie fell asleep in the car on the way home and Mason went straight to sleep after saying goodbye to our elf on the shelf, Elfie, and leaving cookies out for Santa. Now it's time for you know who to come....YAY!!!!

This picture is a little out of order, but this is the kids in front of our Christmas tree right before we went to church.

Allie loved holding baby Brooklyn. She REALLY wants a baby brother or sister, but she might be waiting a little while on that one...haha!

Mason and cousin Matthew

Allie and soon to be Aunt Melissa. Allie is modeling her new dress that Melissa and Uncle Todd gave her!

Kung Zhu!

Baby Zhu Zhu pets!

The Kung Zhu battle arena.....this thing is HUGE, by the way. Just what we need in the playroom....ha!!

This picture is SO funny.....Mason has a little crush on my cousin Jason's girlfriend, Chelsea. That smile says it all! (notice my cousin in the background.....not happy about losing your girlfriend to a five year old, are you Jason?)

And yes, after making fun of my kids' snuggies, Brian got me (and my sis) one! I mean it's hideously ugly.......but I kinda like it. (Shh-don't tell anybody!)

Mason was really sad about saying goodbye to our elf. I took a picture of him so that Mason can "remember him" until next year!

Leaving out the cookies and Milk for Santa!