Yes, it is necessary that Christmas take up multiple posts.  Why, you may ask.  Well, simply put, we in our great extended family, like to drag holidays, birthdays, events, etc out as long as humanly possible.  That being said, I end up on photo overload and have to break it up.

So, I present you to Christmas 2011- The Finale.  We ended Christmas at my parents house with most of my siblings.  Dalton was obviously on his mission.  Devan was in Tennessee with his family.  Danza chose to spend the day with her fiancee’s family.  The rest of us, were happy and had a great time together.  Maybe one of these years we will all be able to get together for Christmas.

 I absolutely love the fact that my siblings are affectionate with their spouses.  Aren’t they just adorable.  I love to be in the company of people that like to be together.  It makes me smile.

Oh yay!  Thank you grandma and grandpa.  Hungry Hungry Hippos was on the top of his list!  What a great gift!  Now, if we could only find the marbles.  Hmmm….

 This picture totally cracks me up!  I love the fact that it looks like they are totally scrutinizing the gift.

 The truth behind it, is that my sister in law hates cats.  HATES them.  So, my brother bought their baby an outfit with a cat on it.  Some people thought that it was more hilarious than others.

 My dad is completely and totally in love with his grandchildren.  I love to watch him interact with them.  Merry First Christmas little Ellie.  She is such a doll.

 This cute gift took Nena about 10 full minutes to open. That is what you get when you wrap the box in the shipper as well as the normal box.

 She is learning to read early.  She loves it!

 For the past year, Nena has been wanting a real American Girl doll.  She has been asking for one, which means that I have been telling her that she can earn one.  I told her that I would meet her half way.  If she was to earn half of the money for the $100+ doll, I would match it.  Well, that is where the grandparents step in at Christmas time.  It was a nice treat for both of us. 

 I am really glad that we waited so long to get one though.  Just before Christmas, a new doll was released that looked so much like Kyra.  She has the lighter skin, the dark, chocolate eyes and the same cute short pixie cut.  It is just about as close as you can get.  She even has the cute bucky teeth (that hopefully will be fixed soon!)

 I love involved parents.  My brother is a fantastic dad. 

 Oh, and the gift of the evening was a hit with the boys.  Derek and Jac always seem to hit the nail on the head when it comes to buying gifts for my kiddos.  The suction cup guns were a huge hit!  I am so glad when they give us gifts like this… i.e… gifts that I would NEVER give my kids.  This just means that I have full reason and rights to do this for their kids in the future!

 It is something that the boys can do together….

 Or one that Toad can do completely on his own…

 While Bear does something completely different!

 And my very favorite part of all..

 Is that…..

It entertains Grandpa just as much as it entertains the boys.  Really, that man has the heart and soul of a five year old.  That is why I just absolutely adore him to death!