Christmas Overload

You know, Christmas is my absolute favorite time of year. I love the music, the lights, the cold weather...everything. But...

But right now - in late March - I am not feeling it. I am having a hard time reaching back into my Christmas spirit to give you these posts. So I decided to finish the season in one fell swoop. A photo dump of sorts. I will give you a quick run-down of what we did and then we can move on. Sound good? Good. On with it then.

Canon had a Christmas program at school where they sang a couple of songs, served refreshments, and had a party on the dance floor. The big man himself even attended and read the kids 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.

Doesn't my boy look sharp in his blazer?

We visited my sister-in-law in North Carolina to celebrate the holidays with her and my MIL and FIL.

We didn't know it at this moment, but she was about to get sick so our trip ended up being pretty quick and consisted of making sure that we didn't catch whatever she contracted. We didn't, thank goodness!

My family came to our house for Christmas morning {check this one off of the 40 Before 40 list!} and we had blast hosting the whole crew!

The 'big kids' played so well together and enjoyed being together so much that Anderson ended up staying through the week following Christmas.

Remember Evan? He was a month old here and was basically passed around the room the entire time. I did catch him in a single moment of not being cuddled. It was rare and I am sure lasted only about 2.3 seconds.

Look at their sweet faces of elation on Christmas morning! I know it isn't a great photograph, but it is the best when I see how excited they are!

While Anderson was still here, we made Christmas cookies, albeit after Christmas Day but whatevs. Do NOT make fun of these cookies, bee tee dubs. I can't remember exactly what I did, but I know that I was trying to make them a certain way and it didn't work out. They were just sugar cookies and still tasted fine but...let's just say I was glad that the kiddos were the only ones really paying attention to them. ;)

Of course, we also took the traditional family pictures with my Aunt Karen as the ever-patient photographer. We do this every year and I am always amazed that she can capture even one serious picture of everyone. Don't believe me? Check it. Here are the guys...with my dad cutting up.

Not sure what is going on here with the girls. It looks soft and blurry on some faces and fine on others. At least we were all smiling...nicely.

Oh wait...

Next we siblings got together to show just how photogenic we are.

Ok fine. We had to be mature for one.

I don't know what made us think a change of scenery would get us to take things more seriously. I do love Anderson's look of 'what have I gotten myself into?!'.

Ah, see? We can be calm.

And then Evan goes and starts screaming. Grow up, dude. Seriously what are?! A baby?!

As always, I set up my tripod for our family photo to include with our Christmas cards. We took the photo...but didn't get any Christmas cards out. So, if you know you would have gotten a card then here you go!

Oh wait, this one is definitely more us.

Merry Christmas a few months late! Now let's move on to other things, shall we? Like, say, 2015?