We had a Green Green Christmas!

Nope, no snow on Christmas. Well, we did have a little bit of snow, a dusting, on Christmas Eve. But Christmas was pretty green. But it was so wonderful!

We got up early on Christmas Eve to get all the food and cleaning done. Headed to my Dad's around noon and had a lovely time. Santa came (I'll post pictures in another entry) and the kids had a great time and we exchanged gifts. We stayed and talked for a long time. So long that we missed church OOPS! First time in 19 Christmases that we did not go to Christmas Eve service. I was SO exhausted and sore that we came home and I took a nap for an hour or so. We did do the McD's and driving to see Christmas lights. We came home and watched The Christmas Story on TV. It's my least favorite Christmas movie, but also my favorite. My brother LOVED it and every time we watch it, I get warm fuzzies thinking of him.

The kids decided at 9:30 they should go to bed. OK, sounds good to me LOL. So Doug and I sat up and listened to music and looked at the lights and exchanged our Christmas Eve gifts. It was lovely.

Christmas morning I woke up about 7:15 and made coffee and told the boys to come down. It's not quite as exciting with teens as it is with littles, but I also don't have to get up at 5 AM :)

Doug read from Luke, we did stockings and gifts. Everybody helped me prepare breakfast. It was very peaceful and nice. Dad and Cay buzzed by for a visit on the way to my aunt's house. My gramma came over to exchange gifts with us. I took a LONG nap while Doug cleaned up breakfast and set the table for dinner.

Doug's parents came about 4:30 and we exchanged gifts and had baked ziti. I made a new recipe and it was awesome! It will be a keeper and a traditional meal now I think :)

After dinner the 7 of us went to see National Treasure! We always go to the movies on Christmas evening. What a splurge! We rarely go to the movies, and never after the matinee. Anyway, it was such a good movie. I wasn't sure what to expect. I hadn't seen the first one and really knew nothing about it. I loved the history of it in the beginning. It made me want to see the first one, so Allen and I watched it yesterday :) Loved it, too!

Doug had to leave for work early on the 26th. It was lovely having him home, but I was sad he had to leave. We still had another Christmas celebration that evening!

I hosted our family yesterday. Mom and Dave, Gramma, my great aunt Edna, my mom's brother and his wife, their grown children and their families, my sisters and their families. We had 2 new babies to cuddle this year. Although I never did hold Andrew :(

We had a fabulous time! The kids played video games and were just overall cute! It was fun to visit with relatives we only see a couple times a year. I love it!

So what did we get for Christmas? I received a new sewing machine and now I am going to learn to sew :) Doug gave me an under the counter radio/cd player for the kitchen. It is so nice! The boys gave me some puzzles. We do puzzles Jan-March because there is not a lot else to do LOL. New slippers, mom made me some great socks and I am going to wear them today, some cash and gift certificates. I think I'll get my hair done :) I am in need of a trim and color touch up :)

The boys received video games, fishing supplies, cash and gift certificates. Jordan received a new electric guitar amp and I am not sure it is my favorite gift :::snort:::

We gave Doug a battery operated neck massager for his truck, a new briefcase, some cologne. He also received cash and GCs and a GPS. He will love that for work! He said it made his day so much easier yesterday!

It was a lovely holiday! I am glad all the work and business is over though and we can just relax for the next 1 1/2 weeks before starting back to school :)