Christmas fun

It was a very nice holiday season...a bit crazy but defiantly fun. I had (much needed) two weeks off from school. The first week I had a list that was five miles long to accomplish. I got about 3 miles of it done, which I thought was pretty good. I felt really bad sending Leeny to school, but I was paying for it anyways and it also allowed me to get some of my stuff done. I was in the doctors office three times that week too. She had double ear infections and the doc decided that she needed antibiotic shots this time. They seemed to have worked.
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This is daddy and O'lena making the snowman pinata. Derick was very excited about it. He did an awesome job.


I did manged to "Cook for two weeks" and fill the freezer. I really enjoy doing that. I realize I just dont have it in me to cook after I get home from work but I can reheat. I just make my own frozen meals. Here is the full freezer. We are so blessed.

Derick's sister Jessica and her family came down to share Christmas with us. I am was so excited! I love it when they come. This is Tighe with his new best friend...Sebastian...though I'm not sure The Don was always putting the effort into the relationship. Tiggy would just follow him around and pet him real nicely.
Derick really got into the spirit. He made the pinata, eggnog, and even popcorn balls. Those are my new favorite things to eat! (The popcorn balls)
Here is aunt Jessica with O'lena and Tiggy-Tighe
You know how hard it is trying to find a Christmas dress the week before Christmas? Well it isn't easy...I had actually found one in like October, but I didn't buy it because I thought it would be ridiculous to buy a Christmas dress in October, but do you think it would be there when I went back to get it?! NO! Then of course I cant find anything that I like not alone LOVE like I did that other one. I did eventually find this one. I thought it was pretty and O'lena look very lovely in it.
Christmas morning opening presents....I was very excited to have my nieces and nephew over because for her birthday O'lena didn't get the present thing, but for Christmas I thought she might get it better with them there showing her the way. I think she did get the hang of it toward the end. I also think she ate about a roll and a half of rapping paper that day. She just LOVES to eat paper. Any kind of paper...

This quilt was made by our friend Linda Miller. Isn't it AWESOME!! She made Oleeny a birthday one too that is now hanging in her bedroom. She is so talented it is amazing!
Cousin's hanging out getting ready to be fed.

More presents for O'lena. She really made out like a bandit. My excuse was that I kept putting off buying the things we needed (ie clothes) until then so we have something to give her. Welllllll....she got a lot.
Oh man! The snowman pinata!! This was the best!! This is a tradition that Derick and his family did every year. I have to say I would like to incorporate this into all our Christmases festivities from now on. This was so much fun and everyone enjoyed themselves. Here is D with his master piece before we destroyed it to pieces.
Tiggy-Tighe getting a good whack at it.
Kevyn was the one who busted it open....after A LOT of tries, but he got the job done.
All the kiddies going for the candy. O'lena got in there too. She was grabbing anything that she could and just sticking it in her mouth. It was too cute.
So we have a smart one! Natalie grabbed the bottom part that was broken off and started collecting all her goodies into that. I thought that was very resourceful!
Daddy, O'lena, and Snowman. Oh there is Leeny with her pile of goodies she collected.
I loved this. Here is Natalie and Ashtin with one of their Santa presents...a sleeping tent. It just fit on the bunk bed, but it worked. They slept in it all night.
It was so great having everyone here. Christmas morning was s much fun with everyone running around and enjoying themselves. I had a blast. I hope everyone did too.