Best Christmas EVER.

I love Christmas.  Not just for the "things" we receive, but I really love everything about Christmas.  Hence the reason I don't take my tree down until mid-January....

These kids are spoiled...

Not the best picture, but had to get a photo in here of the Christmas jammies and the wild Christmas outfit that Connor rocked!

Christmas #3-Johnson's

Another pretty Christmas tree...

Grandma opening her surprise Christmas present.  It was a ranger, that was in the garage, that she had already seen.  Sometimes we aren't very sneaky...

Jace was spoiled, as usual.

Connor and her "Mimi's"

The first present Jace opened that night: A Green Barbie.  AKA Tinkerbell.

So here is an embaressing story: On Christmas Eve Jace opened a present of some books and declared it "boring."  On Christmas morning he did the same thing.  So, on Christmas morning, he was sent to his room and we ceased opening presents until he understood what he was doing.  Then this happens.  And we knew it was going to happen.  So it was a perfect test to see if he had learned his lesson to be polite and respectful no matter what.  And, he did.  He opened the Tinkerbell, shot Jay a look, and then said Thank You.  And then gave it to Connor.

Connor's back at those white pretzels again...

Soooooo tired.

Christmas Morning

I could take a million pictures of this Christmas tree...absolutely gorgeous.

Jace waited patiently Christmas morning while Connor had her bottle...

And Santa left a note for the kids to read.  I love the expressions on their faces, and the way Connor looks at Jed.

As with anything else, they had to pose for pictures before the fun could begin.

  

As predicted, once we got into the present opening Connor was easily distracted.

Jace was focused though...and so excited to receive his truck and header trailer with the corn head for his combine!  (He's only been talking about it for months...and it only became available in the last two months...)

Other highlights:

A Dusty Fire and Rescue Blaster

And Santa left gifts for Jed and Jace to use together...

Connor: Hey!  Are you opening one of mine?

And while the presents were exciting, they weren't nearly as exciting as Connor being able to reach the bag of marshmallows all by herself.

 Got right to work practicing!  Even Mom took some shots...and it was cold out there!

Christmas #2--The Boos family

A little pre-Christmas baking with Grandma B....let's just say each kid got to keep the cookies they decorated.  Otherwise whoever ate them would be in a sugar coma...

Kids (and adults) are trained well:  It is a known fact that there will be no playing, eating, and definitely no gift opening until the regulatory pictures are taken.

Grandkids with Grandma and Grandpa.  Ranging in age from 7 to 1. 

Johnson Family: note the bribe of a white chocolate pretzel in Connor's hand.  This will be a common theme in her pictures...

Just the cousins: Kyler, Connor (this time holding not a snack, but a toy she likes to throw), Colton, Cassidy, and Jace.

The Luedke family:

And the Powell family.  Okay, Aaron and Melissa Powell, and their nieces and nephews.  Clearly this was towards the end of our photography session...

At some point in the night we must have had some escapees.  BUT, notice the most adorable pink sparkly boots Connor got for Christmas?

Finally! Some gift opening!

A sisters picture:

And the traditional matching pajamas:

And just an example of why it takes 416 pictures to get one good one... 

Christmas Eve

I know I'm biased, but we have some super cute kids.

Even if the bow tie didn't make it out the door, and he has a mystery scratch on his forehead, he is one handsome fella.

And put them together, in front of a Christmas tree?

Perfection.

Christmas #1--The Johnson's

Okay, before we get to our Christmas gathering...Jace was so excited to show me the squirrels him and Jed shot.  He was adamant that we actually eat them.  So, the next night we did.

Random picture of Daddy and Connor... 

And now for the Christmas party excitement...

Miss Hollywood made her appearance...

This Christmas gathering was George and Erma's family.  

We always play Bingo.  And FINALLY Jace is starting to understand it....a little.

Jed and Jay delivered a special Christmas package...that looked an awful lot like Jace...

And Jace got an awesome Dusty plane that all the boys had fun with!

Big Cedar

At the beginning of December we went to Branson with Jed's family.  It was his parents' 35th wedding anniversary in June, and they have been travelling to Branson in December for years.  We stayed at the beautiful Big Cedar lodge for a couple nights while we were there--and visited this amazing nature center.

The helmets?  We rode segways.

Have I mentioned I love Christmas?  This place was amazing.  I don't know why I didn't get a picture of it, but close to the lit up "Merry Christmas" there was a silver-bullet type trailer that was a hot chocolate stand!  And the train setup in the top right?  That is all made out of gingerbread.  Absolutely breathtaking views and scenery!

This is the cabin we stayed in...

And a few animals we found while we were walking around!