Ho Ho Ho & Christmas Pics

Christmas is a crazy time for us. Ever since we moved away from Oklahoma, the holidays have changed. We try and cram in as much stuff as we can in 2-3 days so we can get back home and go to work. I also bake a lot so I have goodies to take to each house - I always make sure my girls are dressed in perfect holiday gear for atleast one household we visit and always make sure our presents are wrapped picture perfect. This year was no exception. Jay tells people that I keep this family running like a well-oiled machine and I do but I will tell you, I am flat exhausted! Completely worn out! Next year, and I say this every year, we are staying home and if you want to see us or the girls, you are more than welcome to make the trip. Of course, I don't mean it, but feels good to say it. I thought I would share some hilights from our visits. Since I serve as the official photographer, I will start out with a self portrait.

The fun all started Friday night with the Campbell's. Here is a pic of "Uncle Mikey" with all 3 kids!

Then Friday night, we had our little family Christmas. Here is a pic of Jay opening his XBox 360 from Momma Claus. Not sure why it looks like he was crying - he didn't seem that excited.

And because Jay doesn't like for Santa to come anywhere but our house, we always have to put out Magic Reindeer Food early so Santa knows we are ready for him to bring us presents. We have done this for years and it always works. Let me know if you want the recipe. Here is Brooke throwing the Magic Reindeer Food. Plese take special note of the hazy apparition hanging around our nativity scene. We are pretty sure it is Jesus and the Virgin Mary - we are probably going to be rich and people all over the world are going to start flocking to my blog. Just so you know.

As I said it totally worked. Here is Baby Kate with her first stocking.

After Santa, we drove to Oklahoma and Aunt Rena's. We love the dirty Santa game although Jay has a long history of getting screwed in the game so this year he decided to pick his own gift which was silly because it was the Talladega Nights movie which we already own so really....this year he screwed himself.

Oh and here is a pic in front of our tree at home - guess this should have been up top:

Here is a pic of my granparents at Rena's. This was the first time my grandpa ever held her. Ahhhhhh:

And here is my mom with Kate. How cute is she in her sweet outfit from Auntie Beth!

I didn't get a picture of this but at one point my aunt was holding Kate and I lost track of her for a second. Next thing I knew, they were trying to get my 7 month old 2nd cousin to hold her while sitting in a bucket on a concrete floor. Not cool. Actually, it was more funny than anything.

Here is one last overall shot at Aunt Rena's house.

I forgot my camera when we went to mom's house. Oops! So on to dad's house. Here is Chilli dog in his Christmas present from the Lacy family:

Here is a picture of the kids sans Kate bing nice and normal:

Then Audrey told everyone to "strike a pose"

Here is Brooke with her favorite present from Papa - $30.00 in one dollar bills! She said, Papa, you shouldn't waste your money on us!" How sweet.

And finally over to my in-laws Christmas day. We had only planned on staying until noon but ended up leaving closer to 9pm. Here is a pic of Nan with her 2 new Christmas grandbabies:

Oh and here is one of sweet sweet baby Kate in another First Christmas outfit - so cute! Look at her chunky monkey cheeks! She goes in for her 4 month visit tomorrow - i think she is going to be off the charts or atleast near the top!

Finally we headed back to Kansas - - it was late but I snapped a pic of me and Jay somewhere along I-35.

There's no place like home. there's no place like home.