christmas 'unwrapped'...

christmas day was as crazy and as wonderful as always!!

we woke up early christmas morning. there was still snow covering everything!!! we had a white christmas in dallas, texas!!!

it was really cold, but i had to get a picture of them with the snow on christmas morning!!

o & j were very excited about all the wonderful gifts that santa had left them. o was so excited that santa left her all 3 of the things she asked for-- pajamas for emily (american girl doll), a pink and black stroller (also for emily), and a church necklace (a real necklace that she can wear to church, not dress up beads!!). jack was also pleased with what santa decided to leave for him-- a cozy coupe car, a keyboard, and puzzles!! the car is by far his favorite, but i think he liked all the gifts.

this was the kids saw when they came into the living room christmas morning!!
the kids stockings, all loaded up with little treats from santa! and what was left of the cookies and an milk we left for santa!
jack loving his car!! we literally had to pull him out of it!!
olivia with emily after dressing her in her new pajamas! the stroller made the pic too!

oh, the chairs santa left are great too!! olivia says that these are for me so that she and jack don't ruin the big furniture with their snacks and drinks, but she and jack are going to use them. ha! :)

then the kids opened a few gifts that mommy and daddy chose for them. they liked those too! the most fought over toy was the toy microwave! too bad we didn't pick up one in primary colors too! :)

then it was off to allen to visit the blanchette family. we arrived at nana and gramps' house and there was a living room full of family waiting on us-- nana, gramps, uncle sean, gramma millie, papa, uncle mark, chrissie, and bohnie and callie (the dogs) too! we all situated ourselves around the living room and began exchanging gifts, laughing together, and giving lots of hugs!!

jack LOVED his new tool set and especially his hardhat!! thanks gramps!!
olivia LOVED her new apron and chef's hat! she thought it was from uncle sean since he is the family chef, but really nana is to thank for this adorable gift!! jack has a set too!

another one of jack's favorite gifts was the "tickle me elmo" he got from gramma millie and papa!! he really loves to make elmo laugh!! :)

nana (nancy, my mom) got o a 'fancy nancy' doll!! as you can tell by the smile on o's face she is in heaven!! nana loves to read fancy nancy books to o when she is over for a visit!! fancy nancy is one of the many 'special' things that nana and o do together.

next it was time for our traditional brunch!! yummy!! :) olivia said our prayer this year and for me it was the best part of the morning. she thanked god for her family, our house, baby jesus' birthday, and for santa and all the gifts!! ha!:) before we knew it, our bellies were full, and it was time to pack up the car and head on over to the bowlins.

at pop & b's house there was also a house full of family! b, pop, sarah, christman, abby and kingsley were all there. we were so excited to continue our fun day with each of them. right before we arrived kingsley fell off a piece of exercise equipment and hurt her arm! :( she ended up breaking her arm!! :( so sad for her! she did power through the gift exchange and then sarah and christman took her to children's for a doctor to look at it. it was really sad to not have everyone together. we did have a delicious dinner, minus kk, sarah, and christman, and then everyone was back together at the very end of the night for dessert. not necessarily what we planned, but it all worked out ok. it was great that for at least part of our time together we were able to laugh, exchange presents, and watch the kids enjoy the day together.

**i didn't take many pictures at the bowlins! :( i guess with the choas of having 4 kids opening gifts and then kk's arm, i just didn't think about it!**

the girls were sooooo excited about the baylor cheerleader outfits that b and pop gave them for their american girl dolls! i think emily, ella, and marianna might have to come to game next year! :)

after a very long day it was time to pack up once again and this time go home!! we got home unloaded to sleepy children into bed and more gifts that one family needs into our living room and then headed to bed ourselves.

as i say each year, all the gifts we receive are wonderful, but the greatest gift is getting to spend the entire day surrounded by the love of family. we recognize how lucky we are to have so many people that love us in the special way that they do!! i hope that your christmas was a special one and that you were able to spend it with family and those that you cherish most!! merry christmas!