Christmas 2011

It's been a crazy Christmas filled with fun and family . . . and unfortunately sniffles and stuffy noses too (but we didn't let that slow us down). . . 

We kicked off the festivities on Christmas eve by attending Christmas eve services at church, then heading to Grandma Boese's for our traditional soup supper and gift exchange.  Braden was thrilled to finally get to open a present!

Christmas morning we slept in (which was sooo nice, since B and I were up several times in the night fighting those stuffy noses) . . . Billy made a yummy breakfast for our little family, then it was time to check out stockings . . .

 . . . and to see what Santa brought!

 Yay for new tractors (and assorted farm machinery)!

It was nice to have some time to relax and play with presents at home for a while . . . .

  . . . and B "helped" me make a jello salad for a family meal.

We headed to Grandpa and Grandma Miller's for lunch and our third celebration!  We enjoyed our traditional fondue meal . . .

   . . . and then a second round of stockings and more present opening . . .

 . . . followed by modeling of new clothing and some playtime . . .

Can Grandma Jane figure out B's new puzzle?

 

After resting up at home with afternoon naps, we were off to our fourth celebration at Grandma and Grandpa Hartsock's for more yummy food, cousin time, and of course presents . . .

We wrapped things up with the extended Miller family gathering today, which of course included even more yummy food . . .

The Millers are always sure to document the day with photos:

The 3 siblings (Dad, Judy, Dennis)

The first cousins:

Cousins + spouses:

The second cousins (E wasn't interested in the family photo tradition) :)

And the whole Miller gang (all 26 of us were present this year!):

  . . . and the Millers + Grandma Boese (who might as well be part of the family too, since she almost always comes to the Miller family events) :)

This year we also threw in an "outlaw" pic (which really would be in laws, I think?  Anyway, it's the poor folks who married into our crazy family):

 . . . After pictures, more presents!

I think we'll need the remainder of our Christmas vacation to recover from all of the excitement. ;)

We're looking forward to a somewhat lazy day at home tomorrow (Billy gets the day off!), although we I would like to begin packing at least a few boxes too).