Christmas break continues!

We have thoroughly enjoyed our Christmas vacation! I was reminded this week by a friend that it's not really a vacation for me...I still get to do what I do every other day...take care of the kids! But, there's been a lot of sleeping in and playing! We've had a great time. I'll be sad to see it come to an end...although, we still have 4 more days of festivities!

On Christmas Eve we spent the afternoon and early evening with Matt's family at his Mom and Dad's house. The kids got to open their first presents of Christmas!

From Uncle Greggy, Aunt Megan and Maddie...the boys got a HUGE Army set! It's a good lesson in sharing!

Both boys got trucks, cars and tractors from Mamaw and Papaw and Adri got a Little People Bus! She also loves her new bath toys!

Later that night, we had my family over for snacks and we eagerly awaited a visit from Santa, who comes to our house every Christmas Eve and brings PJ's to the kids...this year they also got slippers!

Quickly after Santa arrived, Gabe wanted to show him his Basketball trophies! Here, he's holding it behind his back and wants to 'surprise' Santa!

Adrianna wanted nothing to do with Santa and refused to sit on his lap. She did, however, get excited when he left!

After the crowd left, the kids were eager to go to bed. Nate even asked to go to bed before our company left!

But before lights out, the kids had to leave out some cookies and milk for Santa!

Nate was really worried that he wouldn't get to the house before the milk got warm, because who likes milk that's not cold, right? So, I encouraged them to get to sleep so Santa could get here while the milk was still cold. Good thing Santa left a note thanking them!

Now, it was time for Mommy and Daddy, I mean Santa, to get to work!

The kids were also worried that Santa wouldn't come because we don't have a fireplace in the rental house...he must have found another way in, because the presents are here!

Christmas morning came pretty quickly...I felt like it was time to get up just after I closed my eyes! But, I was eager to see the kids open their presents!

A new DS...he's excited...but you just can't tell. He gets this face from his Daddy!

This was a present from Gabe to Daddy. It was a drawing on the inside of wrapping paper! I love it when the kids do stuff like this! Too bad Matt couldn't put his coffee down!

A DS for Gabe, too!

Baby Sue came with her own carseat! How did Santa know that's what she wanted?

STINKY!

A Moon for his room!

I got this shirt in honor of my mom...she always tells me how moody I can be. Honestly, I just don't see it! For the record, I probably wouldn't wear this out of the house!

I think that Nate may have given me a gift this year that has been my most favorite of all time!

It reads..."You are as sweet as a sun as a rose as sweet as a beautiful flower I love you Merry Christmas love Nate Martin." Have I ever mentioned how much I love my kids?

Together, all the kids got me an ice orchid. You water it once a week with ice cubes!

Why didn't we get this kid a wagon month ago? She's busy all day, putting her baby in and out of the wagon and opening and closing the door. The boys can't get enough of crashing, I mean driving, her around!

Moon dough was one of Gabe's most requested gifts. For the record...IT IS MESSY!!!

I hope she learns how to put her baby in the highchair properly before she has children of her own! This baby can't possibly eat the cheerios she's feeding it because it's CHOKING!!!

This picture screams Uncle Greggy to me! Those are certainly Martin legs...there's nothing long and lean on my side of the family!

After a morning and afternoon of unwrapping and playing with all of our new stuff, we went to Nana and Papaws for an Italian feast and more gifts!

The evening ended with our ritual of reading before tucking the kids in their beds. They were VERY eager to get to bed on Christmas night because they each got new bedding from Santa for their new rooms and couldn't wait until we move to the new house! Nate asked to read to US from his new Bible and chose to read about Jesus's birth. After he read and we talked about what an amazing gift Jesus was to us, Gabe shouted, "Glory to God in the Highest!" "Where did you hear that, Gabe?" I asked. "Mrs. Rayl says it whenever we talk about Jesus!"

Merry Christmas, my sweet kiddos...I LOVE YOU!

We had a few days of recuperation...lots of laying around, sleeping in, staying in our jammies all day, and playing with all of our new stuff! It was a very relaxing few days of just spending time together.

Yesterday we headed to the Eiteljorg Museum to see the train display...this was very neat!

I often tell Matt that when I do something silly, just trying to be silly, he gives me dirty looks. He says they're looks of love...not intended to be dirty! I think this picture proves my point!

Tonight is our annual gift to the Martin Nieces and Nephews. We're headed to Just for Kicks for Pizza and LOTS of playing!!! I'll post pictures of that this weekend!

Thank you to my mom who is keeping Adrianna so that the boys, Matt and I can go see Yogi Bear tomorrow. She's also keeping all 3 of them on Saturday afternoon so that Matt and I can go see the Titanic display in Indy!

I'm so thankful for everyone in my life and for time like these past few weeks to spend time making memories with my family. I hope you've all enjoyed your holiday as much as we have!