we had our christmas. :)
new jammies....the kids loved theirs and i bought some for me too...thanks aunt jan for the gift card!!
family gifts... we give one gift for each of our kids to open that is for the whole family.
the sandwich maker is a HIT.
they were so excited about it.
the headphones are to stay attached to the desktop computer and no one is allowed to take them off.
this way there is always a pair of headphones when i say "turn the sound off your game" or "i don't want to hear your music turn it off please" and so now they can listen to their game and i keep my sanity.
sibling gifts....they each got each other little things this year with their own money.
that was really cute.
they got us gifts too.
annie made these personalized travel mugs for me and craig. i could not love them any more!!! they are perfect!
talby gave me these sweet birds.
and scott picked a starbucks gift card for me.
sean got me a neck massager pillow but i couldn't find it to take a picture.
i think one of the kids confiscated it already!
then we gave our gift to them.
we give ONE gift to each one of them.
we started this three years ago? i think.
it was to the point of ridiculous with all the gifts they were receiving.
we knew we could not control what others would do so we changed what we could do.
buying less.
they have ENOUGH already.
they have TOO MUCH already.
so they get one gift and they have been fine with that...it's just the way it is.
annie got a keyboard. (my friend suggested the headphones...best idea ever!)
talby got an iPod dock/clock.
scott wanted strength shoes....for basketball....muscle building shoes.
sean got a 3DS that we found a fabulous deal on.
and lauren got an iPod classic that we got through craigslist.
we don't get them whatever they want....but we try to get them something nice that would enjoy...
but that we can afford.
and we do not do gift cards.
or money.
it has helped cut back on the excess.
AND their stocking (gift bags) are filled with little goodies that are picked just for them...
like basketball socks, saxophone reeds, lipstick, squinky sets and candy.
we had a chirstmas dinner.
IN THE DINING ROOM.
craig made a ham...so good!!
i made cheesy potatoes and cream corn and fruit salad.
and cream puff for dessert.
we went to my parents house and had another BIG dinner there.
my mom made all the little girls matching fur vests...super cute!
17 people in one room opening gifts....chaos.
my dad had this shirt made for me.
:)
he is so silly.
i LOVE IT!
and today
i am sitting in a quiet house because scott is at basketball with craig, sean and talby stayed with their grandma and aunt, annie is playing with our neighbor and lauren is asleep.
so i frosted cookies peacefully.
and i will make some gingersnaps now.
then we are onto craig's mom's for christmas there.
how is your holiday going?
everyone getting along?
