I love Christmas!

We have MANY family traditions at Christmas time, and I love every one of them!  I wish I had pics of them all, but I don’t!  Here are a few fun moments from last week.

For years we’ve decorated gingerbread houses with the Chilek girls.  It’s always a treat for the kids and the mamas!  Preston decorated his house as quickly as he could, haphazardly placing candy in random places.

AnnaLeigh put candy on her house…then took it off and put it in her mouth.

Lilly Katherine carefully, meticulously, decorated her house with design and purpose.  She was, of course, the last one finished and was not at all concerned that the other kids were outside as she was completing her masterpiece…despite the loud commands to “huwwy up and finish!  You da last one!” by her little bossy sister.

On Christmas Eve we attend our church’s candlelight service, one of my most favorite services of the year.  After that, we eat Mexican food with my sister’s in-laws and our whole family.  We’ve been doing this since I was pregnant with Preston.  By the way, this is the THIRD Christmas for me to be VERY pregnant.  It’s almost comical how many Christmases I’m whining about wanting the baby OUT of my belly!  It’s almost it’s own little tradition…that is stopping with this Christmas!!!!!  :)

This year we spent Christmas Eve with my family.  All my life, we have taken a picture at the top of my parents’ staircase, and we still do…although we’re running out of steps!

Uncle Taylor, Pinky, and her most favorite little dog from Uncle Taylor and Aunt Kelly.

LK spent hours with Mimi making a special gift for me.  She made a scrapbook…all by herself.  She chose the pictures, the decorations, and assembled it.  She had a blast working with Mimi and she was so excited to give me her special present.  Once again, she is MY child!

This is random, but I’m throwing this picture in for you, Elicia! :)

We celebrated Christmas at our house first.  We always tape a sheet up to keep the kids out of the den before we wake up.  They get to bust through it when we give them the go-ahead.

Checking out their loot.  Umbrellas and storage cubes for the girls.  A baseball bag and Gatorade for P.  Pretty fancy! :)

They all love checking out their stockings.

AnnaLeigh got all she ever wanted…

Chapstick…which she has applied at least 5,376  times since Sunday.

Panties, which is literally ALL she asked for.  (Notice the extra shiny lips.)

And she got a rake from Preston and Lilly Katherine.  So exciting!

LK got a picture to make her section of the bedroom look a little less like a baseball park.

And P got some sports items that he’s been begging for!  He got eye-black and one of those stinkin’ sweat necklaces.  I’m not sure what they do, but he is convinced it will make him play like Josh Hamilton. :)

From LK…

And Sam even got a Christmas present or two…plus some love from Mimi.

Brad and I got a little Christmas morning LOVE from our sweet girls!

We went to church with Brad’s parents, then we went to their house to continue the family fun!

Brad’s parents with all the grandkids.

Brad’s brother, Andy, and his beautiful family…Claire, Garrett, Andy, Kara, and Tayler.

My kids love Andy and Kara’s kids.  They get along so well!  Preston basically worships Garrett.  They have so much fun together, and my girls would give anything to be with Tayler and Claire.  Precious, precious cousins!

LK and Tayler

Claire and Pinky

Garrett and Preston, two very WHITE boys trying to dance.  It was quite a scene!

Garrett doing the worm.

Preston attempting to do the same.  My poor white-boy son is so stiff, he will probably not be rockin’ the dance floor any time soon.

Speaking of dancing.  Brad’s mom gave AnnaLeigh and Lilly Katherine dolls for Christmas and also gave them an outfit to match the doll.  AnnaLeigh stripped down in the middle of the den to change into her purple ballerina outfit, then she danced and spun around with her new baby.

Christmas was so much fun.  We enjoyed all the many traditions, both new and old.  I love teaching my babies about the real meaning of Christmas.  I love the spirit of giving.  I love the fun times with family.  I love the wonderful food!  I love wrapping and unwrapping.  I love Christmas!  I hope your Christmas was Christ filled and joyful.

Merry (late) Christmas from the maniacs and myself!

-kate