Christmas 2013

The kids and Peepaw on Christmas Eve when they came up for a quick visit. This was the first time since 4th of July that Meemaw and Peepaw had been here. It is always nice to have family come for a short visit. These little guys sure do love their grandpa.

Flying hugs for Uncle Caleb!

Opening gifts from grandma and grandpa!

New drawing books from grandpa and grandma Nielsen! So excited!

After our Christmas eve gathering with the Nielsen side we had a relaxing Christmas Eve at home. This was only the 2nd Christmas Eve that we have had in our own home since Jake and I got married. It was one of the most relaxing low stress holiday's that we have ever had.

Christmas morning was reserved for Santa gifts and enjoying some quiet family time in our own living room. Baleigh had not really made a list this year and our standard is that Santa will bring you one thing - the thing that you want the most - as long as it is reasonable (no pony requests). Baleigh got a set of My Little Ponies because she has recently really gotten into the cartoon show based on them. She loved them! She also got a couple new outfits from Grandma Diane and Aunt Debbie and Uncle Hugh. In her stocking she found a Kaleidoscope, candy and some gum. Thor had is heart set on another guy from Ben Ten. Last year he was SO excited to receive Gravitack. This year he was looking forward to Articguana. After a few months of searching on Ebay "santa" finally found it! He was thrilled to open it and after opening his lava lamp and mini lego mantis he retreated to his room for the next two hour and played with his Ben Ten guys.

Playing with his new Ben Ten guy and all his ones from years past. He is amassing quite a little collection. :)

After a quiet morning at home we jumped in the car and headed the 2 miles down the road to my oldest brother's place for the big family get together. This is the first year since before I joined the Army that our whole family has been under the same roof for Christmas. Usually someone is off somewhere with their spouse's family. But the stars aligned and we were all present. 26 of us in all this year - by 4th of July there will be 28. I brought all the "gingerbread" houses, and everyone brought a bag of candy to decorate them with. My sister-in-law Tracie had decorated their home beautifully and my other SIL Emily provided trivia and games for the adults and children to play during the children's gift exchange. We had a wonderful time hanging out with everyone!

Thor starting his house

Emily and her daughter Ivy with their house~

Baleigh was so proud that she had completed her house all by herself this year!

My baby brother Caleb and his girlfriend Rachel working on their masterpiece. It turned out really great!

Our completed village! Some of us have some mad decorating skills.

Jake "helping" Baligh while she was playing BINGO with cousins

My favorite kid in the family at the moment. Ryan is a 2 year old ham that ran around taking "pictures" of everyone all day. This kids could seriously not be any cuter. His parents are doing a great job, raising a polite, sweethearted little man. Love him to death!