Christmas 2012

I have been blessed with an extremely large family, which means we have more-than-the-average-family holiday celebrations.  We celebrated Christmas four times, which is the new normal for our family.  We used to try to cram three family Christmases into one day, but it got to be way too hectic, and we couldn't share in much quality family time.  Dividing the celebrations up certainly makes the holiday season less stressful and more enjoyable!

On December 23rd, we joined my mom's side of the family for Christmas in Ross.  It was a lot of fun watching Jonathan play with his cousins (and there wasn't too much drama). 

On Christmas Eve, we celebrated with our church family at the annual Christmas Eve service at Bridgetown Church.  I am so thankful for the many volunteers who worked with my husband to make the service magical.  One of the best Christmas Eve services EVER!  After the service, we went to my dad's house to celebrate with my siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins.  This is one of the few times we are together as family because our family is so big.  The crowd was much smaller this year, but we still had a wonderful time!

On Christmas morning, Jonathan decorated three small birthday cakes for Jesus (one for me, one for daddy, and one for himself).  He had so much fun planning what his cakes would be like (small, confetti cake mix, chocolate icing, sprinkles, and a pink and blue candle on each one), and we loved teaching him about the meaning of Christmas.  After decorating the cakes, we sang to "Happy Birthday" to Jesus, and then Jonathan blew out the candles.  We enjoyed having cake for breakfast, and then opened some gifts.  Jonathan helped open a gift for Owen, and he wanted me to "open up" my tummy so that Owen could have his new clothes.  :O) 

So serious.

Look at those cakes!

So incredibly excited to find Spiderman PEZ in his stocking.

Later that morning, we headed over to my dad's house to celebrate with my dad and step-mom, sisters and their families, and "Big Grandpa".  I ate a LOT for breakfast, but I made sure to eat lots of fruit before eating my egg, sausage, and bacon...oh, and a donut.  Present opening is always memorable on this side of the family.  We start with everyone choosing a seat and piling their gifts by their designated seat.  The youngest gets to open the first gift, and then we proceed by age until everyone has opened one gift.  Then the process is repeated over, and over, and over again.  I love it.  It takes a LONG time, but it is so much fun to draw everything out so that we can see what each person received. 

I don't really look pregnant next to my sister...

We'll fix that!

Liam modeling his Broncos t-shirt.

Jonathan rockin' his new guitar!

Preparing to fire at Daddy!

Oh, Kaylee.  A normal picture would be wonderful.  :O)

Grandpa Dan singing into Jonathan's new microphone.

Gavyn modeling his Broncos shirt.

...and Amanda with hers.  This family is a bunch of traitors.

"Big Grandpa" joined us!

Thomas "booing" the Broncos' boys.

New bling!

We headed back to our house and unloaded our car in the early afternoon.  Then we packed up the car with everything we needed to take to Indy to celebrate with Darin's side of the family.  Jonathan took a nice nap in the car...which we were grateful for!  He certainly needed his rest before celebrating Christmas with another family!

Out in Indy at the Hudson home, we enjoyed a DELICIOUS dinner.  Mama Jean certainly outdid herself once again!  (The company was pretty fantastic, too!)  We don't get to see the Hudson side of the family very often, so this trip was much anticipated!  The best part was that we got to spend the remainder of the week in Indy.  

Adam and Papa Terry.

Rolling a present along the floor...much more fun than opening it!

Best cousins!

Baker Sienna.

Aunt Sondra, Nate, Uncle Rob, and Maddy.

Opening his new Bible!

Cousin Nate.

Jonathan roaring at Maddy.

Buddies!

We are extremely blessed to have such a wonderful family, and we love that we got to spend the holidays with our loved ones.  I hope all my readers had a fantastic Christmas, too!