Christmas Morning with the Piersall's

The plan this year was for our family to stay at Kristen's all day. My Mom, Mark and brothers would go to Kristen's and do presents and lunch and then my Dad, Kristi and the girls would come over for presents and dinner. It meant that we didn't have to pack up to go to two houses and feel chaotic all day. It ended up being really nice because it snowed and the roads were pretty bad. But this day was a little overwhelming with all the presents, toys and wrapping paper everywhere. Instead of going to a house that was clean and had food cooked, we ended up being the hosts' all day and it was a little exhausting.

It was a great morning though.  The boys were up and at Krissy's by 10:30, which was very good, but Eric was mad at Kristen because she forgot his orange juice.  Grayson accidentally ran over Harper with his bike, but she got over it pretty quick.  The kids ran around like crazy and the adults began opening the mess of gifts.  It was a  busy 2 hours.

Grayson getting ready to freak out that Harper was on his new bike.
He rode around in circles in the house and Harper just kept chasing him.

 

Distracting both of them with Happy Birthday Jesus hats and noise blowers.
Wearing matching Santa PJ's.

Cody and Reese

Helping daddy open gifts

Harper playing with Grayson's pop up toy

Grayson showing Eric his short bus and asking him if he can have a ride in Uncle E's school bus.

Every year my mom puts candy and toothpaste in our stockings.
Just another one of those weird traditions.

Looking at Eric's new stuff

Grayson and his favorite Aunt AJ

I made Grayson a Superman cape - so cute!

Eric always gets one really corny gift from my mom. Last year he got a KU yard gnome.
This year he got a "You are special today" plate. 

Harper got dress up clothes from Krissy.

My favorite gift - Kristen made my blog into a book!
I was overwhelmed with years to do so she got it all organized and looking pretty!
I'm so excited to get it printed!

Realizing that some of this stuff was for her.

Getting caught opening up other people's gifts

This is what Christmas chaos looks like.

Grandma Ruth, Mark, Grayson

Grayson's new train table from KK and Mark

Dane and Reese

The toddlers were down for thier nap and we layed around on the couch relaxing before the next Christmas! 

Christmas Eve with the Hempkins'

We left my Aunt Lissa's at 2pm on Christmas Eve and headed over to Bent Tree for the Christmas Eve service. This really is my very favorite part of all of the Christmas holidays. The service is so peaceful.  And no matter what is going on with Christmas schedules, this one of the things that is a nonnegotiable for us.

Sweet Reese slept through most of the service.

McCools and Hempkins

Hempkins with Serena and Buddy

McCools with Kathy and David



Excited to see if Santa will come tonight!

After church, we went to our house and made dinner.  We had a honey baked ham and it was SO good.  We opened presents, and then did the regular bath and bed routine.  The Hempkins' stayed for awhile but had to drive home that night.  

Learning to unwrap presents

Her new Veggie Tales bath toy

Helping mama unwrap

Jumping and dancing with Buddy

Sitting with Serena

Off to bed so Santa can visit for Christmas morning!

Christmas with the Shattucks

Christmas Eve day we headed over to my Aunt Lissa's to celebrate with my mom's side of the family (the Shattucks).

 

Grayson eating with Brian, Cody and Eric. In this picture he has his arms out and he's saying to Kristen, "Hey Mom. Do you have tickets? To the gun show?" And then he kisses his muscles.



Rachel and Scott

My mom and all her brothers and sisters: Chip, Steve, Judy, Lissa and Mom

COUSINS! Front: Liz, Kristen, Me and Rachel. Back: Rob, Brian, Eric, Scott, Dane, David, Mark and Keith

2nd COUSINS: Harper, Grayson, Natalia, Riley, Aubrey, Betty, Reese, McKenzie and Austin

There were at least 15 people standing behind me chanting the kids names. Then everyone would start chanting one name, "Harper, Harper" and so Harper started clapping along. We tried chanting "Natalia, Natalia" but she was throwing a fit and wouldn't look up at the camera.

My Aunt Marlene dressed up as Santa's elf and gave the kids toys. Grayson's dragon "Rawr!"

 

KK, Reese and Harper

                       

                     Uncle E and Harper playing on his phone, calling "Santa"

My cousin Mark and his new fiance Amy

Dane showed up in a woman's cream mock turtleneck and a embroidered nativity scene vest. Kristen made him change before our family picture.

Every year, the youngest (who is able) gets to plug in the Christmas Tree lights after we bless the tree. This year it was Grayson's turn. My Aunt Lissa is explaining to him what he gets to do. He was so excited.

My Papa Bob starting the Christmas Tree blessing and sharing that we added two more to our family this year (Baby Betty and Baby Reese) and next year we'll add two more (my cousin Liz is pregnant and due in May and my cousin Mark is getting married). We had 38 members of the family this year and next year'll we'll have 40. 

In the middle of the Christmas Tree Blessing you could hear Grayson asking Brian, "Now?" several times.

And Harper was pulling people's hands to get off the fireplace. She wanted to sit there.

So my Aunt Judy moved and Harper climbed up next to Amy and was laughing and giggling at her. It was so cute.

Grayson plugging in the lights

He had the biggest smile when everyone started cheering. And Harper walked up to the tree yelling "Wow! Wow!"



G and Uncle E

Family Pic: Dane, Eric, Me, Cody, Harper, Mom, Mark, Reese, Kristen, Grayson and Brian

Chip's Family: Theresa, Chip, Lynne, Natalia, Rob, David and Betty

Lissa's family: Brian, Keith, Scott, Lissa, Mike, Mark and Amy

Judy's family: Aubrey, James, Liz, John, Judy, Rachel and Riley