Christmas Day

We changed up our plans this year for Christmas and we left for Michigan on Christmas day instead of beforehand. Typically we are there and attending Christmas Eve Mass at the church Aaron grew up in.  Since Aaron had a decent amount of vacation between Christmas and New Year's, we decided to head up to Michigan after we woke up at our own house on Christmas day.

This worked out really well.  Aaron's mom doesn't usually have any plans for the actual day of Christmas because we are all in Michigan.  We always celebrate Christmas with Jean and Paul and all of our combined families in January.  So, it was nice to invite them down and know that they were doing something for the holiday on the day as well.

Christmas Eve day we did a few things around the house and enjoyed the company.   You may remember we try and make a family block each year for Christmas.  We haven't gotten around to making them the last few years with the move and such - but we made sure to do the same thing we did the years of Addy and Blake's first Christmas, which was to paint their toes on the block so they can have a little keepsake.

Doing Chase's block.  I love all the spectators...Blake's head cocked to watch and Addy and Paul watching so contently!

How cute is this hat that Jean made for Chase??!!!!!  ADORABLE!

We went to Christmas Eve mass at our church (which is the one I grew up in).  I hadn't been at that mass since I met Aaron, but it was nice to be there and hear some songs that I've only heard played at that church for mass and such.   My parents joined us for church and then following mass we had dinner at our house with my parents, Jean and Paul, as well as my sister Angela and her kids. Shannon was celebrating Christmas with her in-laws :) 

Our little poser!

The best family pic we got...even though it isn't so great!

 When we got out of church, there was a beautiful snow starting to fall.  LOVE.  It was so great driving home just through our little town - we cut through a neighborhood where you could see families gathering on Christmas Eve to celebrate....with that and the snowfall, it truly was such a peaceful feeling (I'm weird, I know!).

After we got the kids down, I went outside to just stand in the snow.  I wish I could have sat out there for a while - I loved how peaceful it was and with the glow of everyone's Christmas lights...perfect!

Our house on Christmas Eve with the snow coming down!

Jean and Paul stayed the night and got to enjoy the morning with us, they headed back up to the cities right before we took off for our long drive to Michigan!  It was a close call --- but all of us ended up on Santa's nice list this year :)

Waiting for daddy to get his "eyes" (contacts) in.  They are sitting at the top of the stairs waiting for the "okay" to come down and see if Santa came!

Some of Addy's presents were a Barbie house and real make-up from Santa.  Along with games, books, a puzzle, movie, some new boots, a Hello Kitty radio/CD player and a few other things (some of that from Santa, some from mom and dad!). 

Blake got a few different Superman/Spiderman things from Santa such as an activity book, a stuffed "Spidy", Superman sweatshirt and a Spiderman radio/CD player.  He also got books, games, a puzzle and a few other things like Addy did!

How cute are his PJ's??!  I love these "old man jammies"!

  Addy's big gift was a Barbie house as mentioned, and Blake and Chase's big gift was a new "truck" to ride around the neighborhood.  Santa thought that since the neighborhood boys always cruise the streets with their John Deere Gator, that the Anderson boys (and Addy...since she hangs with all the boys on the street!) could use this to keep up!!!!  Here's to hoping it provides years of entertainment!

Hanging in their new ride!

 Along with the truck, which Chase will be old enough to use before we know it...Chase also got a new hat, movie, some books, a name plate for his room and a few toys.

Chase likes his new gifts!

 A gift that was from me to the family was some Panther Gear.  None of us had any Pine Island Panther gear and since it was Addy's first year of school there, I thought that would be fun to have.  So, I ordered matching shirts and sweats for us!  They didn't have anything to order in Chase's size, so I had a t-shirt made that had a paw print on it and said "Future Panther" :)

We were "that" family and all wore our new comfy sweats and tee shirts on the drive up to Michigan!

May not be matching Christmas Jammies....but we have matching Panther Gear.  (Check out Addy's beautiful make-up...she dug right into her "real make-up" from Santa!)

After the picture above...we set off for our long road-trip to Michigan.  It worked out really well, but I think Aaron and I have already decided next year the road trip will be the day after for a few reasons.  1 --- there was nothing open to eat at besides gas stations which we forgot about.  We fed our kids cheese and crackers for supper and Aaron joked to them about their special Christmas meal :)  2 --- the kids did great about leaving, but they could've used some more time enjoying their new things, and 3 --- the house was left in a crazy mess since it had all the presents still all over so hopefully we'll have the day to get fully packed and organized so we can get up in the morning and hit the road early! 

It was a great Christmas day, even with the traveling :)