Our Christmas 2010

We had a great Christmas!  Christmas Eve was spent lounging around the house during the day, preparing a couple of foods for the festivities on the big day, attending a jam-packed Christmas Eve mass (with 3 surprisngly well-behaved children), and then a quiet dinner at home with just our little family of 5.  We watched "The Polar Express" and read "The Night Before Christmas,"  both Longendyke/Coghlan family traditions.  :)

Cuties before Mass.

Sienna took this!

Christmas morning was the best yet.  We started a new tradition this year where we lit a tiny cupcake and sang Happy Birthday to Jesus before opening presents.  It is important to Scott and I that the kids grow up knowing the real meaning of Christmas.  Of course, Santa is so fun, but that won't last forever...the spirit and true meaning of the holiday will. 

Lighting Jesus' birthday candle

The kids were over-joyed with the presents Santa brought them this year.  Sienna's expressions were priceless and she is at the MOST fun age to really get Santa.  Hudson was happy, but I think a little in shock, too.  He loved his gifts, but didn't say much the whole morning...haha.  Noah was so sweet and content with his cute little stationary, musical bike and a container of puffs.  It doesn't take much to make him happy.

Gummy worms might have been just enough for her!

Thomas the Tank Engine.  Enough said.

See what I mean with the expressions?  Just giddy and full of excitement.

Showing Noah his new remote from Santa.

Lalaloopsy.  I don't get these dolls.

He seriously didn't get off for 30 minutes.  So cute and growing waaaayyy to fast!

 

After our little family opened presents, we hosted a few of the Longendyke crew over for brunch and MORE presents.  Barbara and Kenny (Grammy and Grandpa) and Kevin and Annie (Scott's brother and girlfriend) definitely spoiled us!  Some presents to note are a spa gift certificate for me, a sport jacked for Scott and a karaoke machine for the whole family.  Yay!  Thanks, guys!  It was so nice to have them over and the kids are really growing attached to Kevin and Annie now that they've moved back to Richmond and we see them much more often. 

Lincoln Logs.

Our home = like a bomb exploded.

 Trying out the new karoke machine.

Uncle Kevin and Annie

We then took naps and headed to my parents house where we celebrated with my parents, my sister, nephew and Grandma.  We were spoiled A LOT here, as usual, and we are so grateful for my parents and their generousity.  I finally got a flip video camera (yay!), Scott got a GPS for his car (so he'll stop stealing mine...), and the kids got a TON of toys...vanity set, tool bench, remote control cars, clothes, etc.  We had a great time opening gifts, as you can imagine.  Thanks, Mom and Dad!

 Coooooooley.

 I'm more excited about his new GPS that he is.  Now, I get mine back!  :)

Aww a Nurses calendar.

 

Yay! Finally a flip video. Ahhh, it's so fun!

Later that evening, my parents hosted Scott's parents and we all enjoyed an Italian ravioli/manicotti dinner with bread, salad, meatballs and sausage!  Yum!  We're still enjoying the leftovers.  It's always so fun to be with everyone for Christmas dinner and I know the kids enjoy having all their grandparents together.

Sunday morning was crazy!  Scott and I got up at 6:30 to start unpacking the car (from my parents house), unpacking toys (each year I get more and more frustrated at whoever packs this stuff!), building toys, dressing dolls and organizing piles.  We finished at lunchtime and finally got a system organized that will work for a few days...but after that, I have NO idea where all this stuff is going to go.
God has blessed us and I am grateful for the love and health He has given us this holiday season.  Here's to 2011!  (AND being able to say, "I graduate from school NEXT YEAR!"  Ha!)