I never got around to making Christmas cookies this year, you know due to the whole Kyle sickness, so Christmas Eve I had no cookies made. I had grabbed a tube of cookie dough at the store that day, hoping I would at least have time to let the kids make cookies, even if they were store bought (sorry Mom). But, it just wasn't going to happen. Luckily our friend Gail brought us this wonderful gingerbread man and we knew Santa would love it. (hope you don't mind Gail!) So Santa had gingerbread this year, and he even left a little on the plate for the kids the next day which they were very happy about and promptly ate. Because if you look closely at their letter to Santa, you will see that they apologized for licking it. I guess they figured they better cover their bases, since Santa probably already knew. :)
That trademark tongue coming out while concentrating.
Kyle was not happy about having to do a chore. 
And Jason overwhelmed at the project ahead! 
This is what Christmas Eve means to parents, right? Staying up all hours putting together toys for their kids. I remember hearing my parents set up for Christmas morning as a kid and it is a happy memory.
Finally around 1:30 a.m. we were all done!
Please excuse the look on Ryleigh's face. Ever since we babysat Adam for the night she has decided to act like a baby all the time. She gets this stupefied look on her face, waves her hands back and forth and grunts. As you can see she is doing it here. The boys are excited to see what is around the corner.
I was so excited to see Ryleigh's reaction to her kitchen. She is usually so expressive. But, she choose to do the baby act that morning and no reaction was given. She kind of gradually made her way into the room, then just sat there for a while. And then eventually went up and started playing with the set. So much for squeals of delight!
The boys gave some good reactions - though, not captured in this photo.
Aiden sporting his new helmet. This was one of those needed gifts, his had gotten too small, so not much excitement there.
Kyle was excited about everything. And we were excited that he was well again!
Jason captured it all on video, I captured it all on film. These kids lives are well documented. :)
The best reaction of the day goes to Aiden. He has been asking for Star Wars Legos for months and months. He has even been saving his money for them. We don't buy toys around here unless it is a birthday or Christmas, so he has been waiting a long time for these. When he opened this box, he fell over. :) They have been playing with them everyday since.
Ryleigh finally decided to start opening her presents. Look at the pile of dress up shoes! Since we have moved here she has been playing with more little girls and has discovered what princesses and dress up are all about. Though she will still pick up a bug or chase the boys with her "shutgun", only now she does it in high heels with a "pincess" dress on.
Jason's turn!
Daddy assisting in some high heel trouble.
Enjoying the toys! I think I am being shot at by Kyle with a candy cane full of smarties.
Aiden wanted me to take a picture of him with his gifts. He is just like a firstborn, like Jason and myself. He opened each present and then sat it in a pile, neatly. He was always in control of where his stuff was. Kyle and Ryleigh.....another story. :)
I was so excited to see Ryleigh's reaction to her kitchen. She is usually so expressive. But, she choose to do the baby act that morning and no reaction was given. She kind of gradually made her way into the room, then just sat there for a while. And then eventually went up and started playing with the set. So much for squeals of delight!
The boys gave some good reactions - though, not captured in this photo.
Aiden sporting his new helmet. This was one of those needed gifts, his had gotten too small, so not much excitement there.
Kyle was excited about everything. And we were excited that he was well again!
Jason captured it all on video, I captured it all on film. These kids lives are well documented. :)
The best reaction of the day goes to Aiden. He has been asking for Star Wars Legos for months and months. He has even been saving his money for them. We don't buy toys around here unless it is a birthday or Christmas, so he has been waiting a long time for these. When he opened this box, he fell over. :) They have been playing with them everyday since.Ryleigh finally decided to start opening her presents. Look at the pile of dress up shoes! Since we have moved here she has been playing with more little girls and has discovered what princesses and dress up are all about. Though she will still pick up a bug or chase the boys with her "shutgun", only now she does it in high heels with a "pincess" dress on.
Jason's turn!
Daddy assisting in some high heel trouble.
Enjoying the toys! I think I am being shot at by Kyle with a candy cane full of smarties.
Aiden wanted me to take a picture of him with his gifts. He is just like a firstborn, like Jason and myself. He opened each present and then sat it in a pile, neatly. He was always in control of where his stuff was. Kyle and Ryleigh.....another story. :)
Kyle with his pirate ship. This ship is awesome and extremely detailed. It took Jason and I forever to put it together. 
We hope everyone had a great Christmas!! We missed seeing family, but really enjoyed all the time we got to spend as just a family. After the last few years, it was just what we needed!
We hope everyone had a great Christmas!! We missed seeing family, but really enjoyed all the time we got to spend as just a family. After the last few years, it was just what we needed!
The kids ready to open their presents send by Mom-Mom and Granddad. Mom sent a box with gifts for us all.
Jason loving his new Harley Dude mug. Chris and Jason both look like they were really getting a kick out of something in these pictures. 
Make-up kits for Allie and Ryleigh. They were thrilled! Michelle and I, not so much......
And this is why.... I thought I got a picture of Allie too. I did on my cell phone, but I guess I didn't get one with my camera. Chelly and I were standing right in the kitchen and the girls were sitting at the table. We thought we had it under control. Allie had finger nail polish on her eyebrows. For the rest of the night both of their faces had a pink/purplish glow to them.
The kids table! Once again, you can see the lack of curtains.....
Since it was such a nice night, the boys were outside playing soccer for a little while.
A family photo. I have no idea what Aiden is doing. Perhaps praying for good gifts?
Then there is the ornament throwing from the youngest member of the family. This year she broke two special ornaments. I guess that is not too bad. They are only things.
I kept telling them to try and not put them all at the bottom, and they tried! I caught Aiden lifting Kyle up to reach a little higher height! :)
Time for the angel. This photo is staged.... I missed the real thing.
The extent of our outside decorating this year.