Merry Christmas to All!

Christmas Eve is my mom's birthday. We celebrated with lunch and presents, etc. at our home. My mom has always loved penguins, so she had a penguin cake this year!Our crew- we just keep growing!

On the evening of Christmas Eve, we do our family Christmas. Here are the girls sitting by the tree, innocently singing every Christmas carol they can think of, trying to persuade us to begin the gift opening time! ha!
We decorated a gingerbread house

I love after shots!
Reading Twas the Night before Christmas and the Christmas story
Is there anything sweeter than the excitement on children's faces the night before Christmas?

Coming down the stairs. It is 5 am in our home and despite the early hour, don't they look adorable in their matching Christmas pj's?
Santa came! Kalie got Julie and Ivy American girls, Karlee got the DS (aka leapster) and barbie and robe that she asked for and Kate got a baby and her own family house.After the viewing of Santa, this is a photo of the parents. Actually we weren't asleep but would have preferred to have been . ha!
This year the ladies got matching christmas pj's
....And so did the guys!
Karlee was found most of Christmas playing her "ds".

Bhagyashri's friend, Christal joined us Christmas day.
Kate and Karlee got dr. kits fully loaded with ace bandages and bandaids!
Opening gifts at my parents' house

In front of my parents' stairwell.

Kalie has a big sister and loves it!
The traditional Christmas pajama photo


Kate playing in the kitten's home. Amy had a kitten but when she changed apartments, she could not keep her, so Ally is now a member of my parents' household.

Celebrating with Drew's family- Drew and his brothers with Grandmother and Grandpa Ray
CC and Papa with their two newest grandchildren- ha!
This girl is a nut! We have enjoyed her so much!
These two have become quite a pair. Drew was sleeping in the chair at my parents; house and Bhagyashri snuck up behind him and poured water on his head- she fits right in this family!
Do you know how hard it is to get these family shots? Here is everyone!

Christmas Celebrations

I decided to post once regarding all the Christmas celebrating we do leading up to the BIG DAY!They loved getting to see SantaKalie talking to Santa...Karlee talking to him as well....And of course Kate walked right up there! This Santa was so good Drew and I almost wanted to go up there too! ha!Reindeer glasses they got. Kalie's dance group had a Christmas party at my parents' pool. Amy did not have plans to join them but Bhagyashri changed those plans with one good push! It was hilarious! (Bhagyashri on left next to Amy)After the Christmas dance party, Katie and Eloise spent the night- they pretended to be Rudolphs.Kalie's class party- they were playing dirty santa- pretty funny!Bhagyashri is staying with us throughout the holidays. Her friend, Cristal has joined us several times and they cooked for us one night.
Mom and Dad hosted several parties this year and we catered two of them. The last one was his office party and Amy's best friend ( we call her the blond sister) came and helped too. We had more fun in the kitchen I am sure! ha!)

My mom, two sisters and me have gone on a day trip two years in a row now and want to make an annual tradition. This year we went to see the Rockettes. They were fabulous! They have a new show and it is better than any I have seen!
Of course we found a Starbucks....Our friends Stephanie and Tyler got back from China just a few weeks ago with Olivia. She came to the FCC Christmas party and is an absolute doll!All the Asian beauties (and sister) playing a gameKate's preschool program- here is Kate with her two teachers - she LOVES them!Kate is singing a trio- she was such a microphone hog!Karlee's program- she did great- she did not miss a word on those songs and had so much fun!
We bake every year. Drew and Kalie are doing more than baking I think....
Somehow Amy ended up getting some extra help on her treats! Kalie had gotten this apron last year from CC and was excited to wear it this year.
My two cooking helpers
Everybody pitching in!
Kalie found a new recipe she wanted to try so she and Dada took on that one. They were good!Kalie's class and their little buddies went to a retirement home and gave goodies and sang for the residents.Kalie's program at school. It was great as well!

As you can see, we have been so busy with fun Christmas activities. I will be posting more over the next couple of days!