Christmas!

Fortunately we were able to spend a whole week up in Maryland over Christmas break which allowed us to see so many more friends and family than we usually can in a crammed weekend.  Of course Santa was the real excitement but we enjoyed all of the special other times as well…

A super fancy Rudolph found
Ralphie, our elf.  Maybe it's love!

Christmas Eve at the Midberrys...

Attempting to get a nice, still picture on Christmas Eve was probably a bridge too far.  The boys were so excited… but they turned out cute anyway!

The best gift for last… a tiny airplane
to symbolize our upcoming trip to HAWAII!!!

Christmas morning!  Looks like Santa arrived!

So pretty and quiet.  Ten seconds later, complete chaos!  :)

James loved this box of jokes,
complete with everything you remember (fake
vomit, poop, eye balls, hand buzzers)!

The boys were so sweet to one another
and even offered up the "prize gifts"
when they thought the other didn't receive.

The boys opened everything so fast, and it was still so dark, I gave up trying to get pictures...

After playing with toys and cleaning up, we went over to my Aunt Judy's to spend the afternoon.  About 40 of my cousins and aunts (and one uncle!) celebrated together.  It was great...

Santa always makes an appearance.  

Santa giving out presents...

Some of the littlest cousins...

Taking a little outdoor break...

…because then this started!  Our annual White Elephant party. Which is SO much fun!!

Some of my cousins… (and my beautiful sister, on my left in the white shirt, who is now 16 weeks pregnant!!)

…and spouses...

Day-after-Christmas dinner out.  Everyone was on their best behavior.  Soooo nice to be inching towards civilized dinners with the boys.

On Saturday, we went to our very good friends, the Joneses, new home to see them and the Shaws...

Audrey, Lily, Henry, Ella, Luke, Jack, James

Me & Monique

Me & Sherry

We had a great night together!

And finally, on the morning we left, we were able to swing by and see Aunt Lauren and Uncle James and their two boys, Tommy and Jack.

The boys always pick up right where they leave off and had a blast playing for a few hours before we got back in the car to make the trip home.  Sure wish we lived closer so they could play together all of the time.

Just two days until we leave for a trip of a lifetime… to celebrate Camille and Pat's wedding in Hawaii!