Christmas Day

On Christmas Day we had Mema, Uncle Keith and Aunt Merry over for appetizers, dinner and drinks.  While Kate napped we decided to introduce Charlie to the movie Elf.  Our very favorite holiday movie.

Watching Elf

 Charlie showing Aunt Merry his new superhero pop-up book

My two boys snuggling and eating Brie

 Charlie opening his new Toy Story tent from Aunt Merry

Kate opening her new princess costume, complete with purse, high-heels, jewelry, magic wand, purse and gloves from Aunt Merry

All decked out in princess attire with Mema

Charlie picked out his own Christmas gifts for people this year.  Uncle Keith got a football alarm clock.

Aunt Merry had to have leopard print high-heels from Target.

 Kate snuggling her Uncle.

Santa came!

Christmas morning right before mayhem.  Carrying on my family's tradition, Santa toys/presents are not wrapped.  The kids are not allowed to see the living room until we all go out together, which meant sleepover in Mommy and Daddy's room.  Charlie would not go to sleep Christmas Eve, which made for a fun time trying to get everything out under the tree before Paul and I could go to sleep.

The other Jones family tradition we are continuing is we open our stockings from Santa on our bed.  I love it!

Charlie & Daddy holding up their new bookmarks and mints from Santa in their stockings.  After opening his stocking Charlie could not believe how thoughtful Santa was and how well he knew him.  He wanted to call him right then to say thank you.

Kate playing with her new laptop

 Reading their new books

 Opening her new baby clothes for her baby

Playing with his new Batman cave

It was a book filled Christmas thanks to Grandma, Papi and Sarah!  They gave the children so many books for Christmas.  This is not even all of them. Thank you!  They love them.

Kate playing with her new dollhouse.

 Feeding her baby in her baby's new highchair

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve we went over to Mema's house for our traditional Italian seafood dinner.  Mema made a TON of food, and the kids each got to open one present from Mema.  They also had stockings there to open which was fun.

Charlie opening his stocking

 Charlie and the Christmas tree

 Charlie opening up his rocket ship

 Kate showing Daddy her new Abby Cadabby

When we got home we made sure to leave the cookies and milk out for Santa!

Don't Break the Ice!

Our babysitter Sarah gave Charlie the game Don't Break the Ice for Christmas.  The kids, Mema, Uncle Keith and Aunt Merry had a ball playing.  Even Kate was able to play.

Gingerbread House

This year for the first time the kids and I made a gingerbread house.  I let go of all my controlling instincts, gave them each a side of the house, and let them decorate it however they liked.  They loved it!

The front

Charlie's side

 Kate's side