Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning

This Christmas was one of my favorites, a lot of family fun. The twins made our Christmas! The whole Melniczenko family spent the night Christmas eve and I couldn't have been happier - the only gift we wanted was to see the kids having fun...and I think they did. We had a good Christmas Eve dinner - the kids didn't eat much -- just a little excited.

Paul and Amy wanted to start a Christmas tradition - giving the kids new pajamas on Christmas Eve - the kids loved it!

Meg got Dora pajamas!

Spider man jammies for Alex - of course!

He is a happy guy.

When the kids went to bed, the guys got busy helping Santa. While the guys were doing this, Amy, Sami and I played "Sequence" a fun card game. I can't believe I didn't get a picture.

The kids got up around 7 am, I think. They were very thrilled. They each got a book bag for school.

This look says it all - I believe they were in awe. Not sure where all this cool stuff came from, but they were happy about it.

Meg got her own shopping cart. See all the red spots on Meg - she started with the rash on Christmas Eve and it was worse on Christmas Day. Amy took her to Patient First to be on the safe side. They said it was a reaction to the antibiotic she had been on for an ear infection. Poor thing - luckily the rash wasn't bothering her.

Dave and I got this train set and put it around the tree. Alex loves trains and this was a hit.

He loved it.

He was fascinated.

Meg opening her only request from Santa.

Her baby doll. She can put it in her shopping cart.

See the rash on her face and arm.

Alex loved his Spiderman hat and mittens.

Alex checking out the baby doll. The mittens are still attached to the hat.

Dolly in her shopping cart.

I think his favorite gift was an inexpensive train that had this remote control to move the train all over the place. Amy said he took it to bed with him that night and Meg had to take her shopping cart to bed.

A mess, who cares! it's Christmas.

Later in the day we headed out to see the rest of the kids.

Emmy with some of her goodies.

Matlin singing along with a "High School Musical" game.

Ian opening his gift.

Samara.

Aidan wasn't feeling well - laying down in the background.

Hope everyone had a very merry Christmas.

Getting Ready for Christmas

I did a little baking for the holidays - these little Santa cookies are made from Nutter Butters. Dipped in white chocolate for the beard and hat brim.

I also made my sugar cookies and a new recipe from a co-worker - lemon cookies made from a cake mix - very yummy.

I made a few purses. This little one for Meighan:

Some for Amy:

These for Matlin in her school colors:

I made a few more but I guess I forgot to take pictures.

I finished the coffee mugs with crochet cozies for my co-workers.

Santa - almost!

We headed for the mall to see Santa. Dave dropped us off since the weather wasn't that great. The kids are watching for him.

This beautiful white tree was right inside the door so I was hoping to get a good picture.

Very cute, just a little off center.

We had lunch in the food court then the kids played on the rides.

Play area right across from where Santa was.

We waited in line for about 45 minutes.

Waiting.

Waiting.

The line was moving slow, but they were very good and kept talking about wanting to see Santa.

We finally made it; Alex went right up to Santa and sat on his lap. Meighan would have no part of it. She wouldn't even sit on my lap next to Santa. They wouldn't allow the use of cameras and I didn't buy the picture with just Alex on Santa's lap. Now I wish I had. Oh well, next year.

They rode the merry go round a few times.