Merry Christmas!!!

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas because we sure did! Be prepared, this post will probably be a long one with picture overload.

Christmas Eve was spent around the house doing some last minute cleaning, and I did a little baking. Nothing like Thanksgiving, just one chocolate chess pie. Cory went out on an adventure to exchange a gift (thanks Kohl's for putting crap back on the shelves that are missing parts AND that don't work), but he found what we needed.

Then we headed to Georgetown for Mass with my aunt, uncle, and cousin during which, it SNOWED. I watched it out the window feeling a little guilty about being sad I was missing it. Mass was lovely though, and the snow conveniently stopped right before it was over. Awesome.

We then went over to Karen and AJ's for food and visiting with some more aunts and uncles. Afterward, we headed home, and E was in bed only a little past his bedtime, and we began the tradition of reading The Night Before Christmas just as my mom did for me. Well, he only made it through part of the book, but he got the vital first and last page. Perhaps next year he'll get a little more.

Christmas morning we enjoyed the fact that Ethan has no idea what's going on, and therefore, did not wake up at the crack of dawn to see what Santa brought him. We'll only have another year or so of that, so we relished it and slept until 8 or so. Ethan woke up and my mom and aunt Paula, whom of which I've spent all of my Christmases with, came over. Ethan attacked his stocking, meaning he had his fill of wrapping paper, and found a couple of toys that interested him. It took him literally all day to get through all his presents, most of which were opened by other people and shown to him. He enjoyed a lot of them though, especially his phones, balls from the ball popper, keys, and books. He also got some clothes, Tonka trucks, and a Melissa and Doug push toy. I enjoyed my AMAZING diaper bag (thanks Mom!) amongst other lovely things and Cory loved his new wireless keyboard and mouse.

Some more family showed up a little later: Papa, five out of seven of his kids, two spouses of said kids, and two cousins. We opened presents, visited, played games, and ate. We cooked a ham and prime rib for the main course, along with loaded mashed potatoes, green beans almondine, salad, spinach, and rolls. Oh, and tamales (an impulse purchase by Cory...yum!). For dessert we had the chocolate chess pie and I also snuck in time to make a pecan pie. There are plenty of leftovers to satisfy us too.

Oh, and the best part? I spent the ENTIRE day in my pajamas. I know what you're thinking, you stay at home with Ethan, don't you do that every day? But, no, I do not, and I enjoyed every minute of it yesterday, thank you very much.

I suppose that's all I have to tell, so on to the pictures. I regretfully forgot about taking pictures, but I still have a lot, and I'm really enjoying the lens Cory got me as my early Christmas present (and I think I'm getting a little better at using it too).

Ethan's Christmas Eve outfit. Yes he wore this to mass. I ran out of time, and really didn't have anything for him to wear. Don't judge me.

Working that reindeer outfit.

On Christmas morning.

"Opening" his stocking.

Opening with Nana

Enjoying his new car.

His new phone from Paula, one of his favorites.

With Papa and Daddy on the couch.

Papa

Paula, who may be mad at me for including this picture, but I like it, and it's my blog :)

Mark and Diana opening a present.


And these are some pictures I took on the 23rd of E and Christmas lights. I've seen a lot of these done, and finally got around to doing it.

It was such a great Christmas and really wonderful to experience it with Ethan. I can't wait until he's older and really "gets" it. Well, I can wait for the crack of dawn thing, but I'm guessing it all be worth it.

Tomorrow's another Christmas celebration for us, and then another one next weekend with Cory's family, so I hope you're not tired of Christmas pictures yet. Merry Christmas!!!