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Christmas Wrap up...

Christmas sure has changed as the kids have grown up...the element of surprise and magic has slipped quietly away. But now, "All is calm...all is still bright!" The kids help buy and pick out their gifts, they help cook, clean and prep. Our Christmas Eve was super fun and relaxed. We had our usual, wonderful Christmas Eve spread at Nana's and Papa's.  We ate, talked, opened our stockings, the kids played cards and hide and seek, sardine style! When I say kids, that includes Savannah and her boyfriend, Alec! I'm glad he doesn't think we are crazy. 

Warning: TONS of photos to follow!


 


 Always behind the camera!


In her new lounge wear from Alec!



 

Santa arrived this year looking a bit different than usual. (Nana trying to throw them off!)






Poor Titi (Kim) was feeling under the weather this year, trying to pass a kidney stone!



We were able to finally get a picture of the whole family! Thanks Alec!




My iPhone camera starting getting yellow and blue streaks out of nowhere! (see above). Jeff took our family picture with his phone, which looks bit different.  Took a few tries to get a decent family photo! And yes...Jonas is very tall. He looks like a friendly giant next to the rest of us!


We headed home, stopping past our favorite neighborhood set up. We love the Charlie Brown theme...some traditions never change, not matter the age.


 Time to wrap!



Busy finishing up her special present for her Daddy!


It came out so cute! He loved it. We have a little family joke where we call Lorelei "Squidward". She thought it was the perfect present for him.


Silent night finally begins...at about 2:00 a.m.



Even the dogs were finally ready.



Christmas morning I'm now the first one up. With everything done, I had some coffee, finished a book and patiently waited for the family to wake. We had a deal, I could wake them all up around 10:00, if no one was up yet. Lorelei was the first awake at 10:20...so she woke everyone else up.


Ready to get at it!


 

Chef Boyen! Lorelei loved some of her new cooking gear, including a chef's hat and apron from John.





Guess he needed a bit more sleep!


Everyone heads to our house in the afternoon for "Round Two" of Christmas presents. We eat the leftovers from Christmas Eve and keep it all low key.


We've learned from the past few years, no one has the energy to cook a big Christmas dinner. This year since I know the kids love sushi (at home or out), I figured it be the perfect DIY Christmas dinner. John got Lorelei a sushi set, so it was a perfect excuse to put her to work!





Now it's my favorite time of year...the quiet between Christmas and New Year. I got a new calendar and a new cookbook, among many other wonderful gifts, and am ready to take on the new year!


Bring on 2020!!
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