Christmas Day

 This Christmas was yet again another wonderful and enjoyable Christmas. I have to say that Mommy and Daddy got the first present this Christmas and that was the kids sleeping in tell nine o'clock. Mommy still has a hard time sleeping in though and was up by seven and thought it strange that her kids were in bed still and she couldn't enjoy sleeping in. 
When the kids finally woke up, they saw that, yes, Santa is not really Grammy and Pappi and he did come even after all they received the day before. Daddy was still waking up, so the kids were able to see Santa's presents (in this house, Santa doesn't wrap the presents but leaves them on the table with their stockings), and open the little presents and eat the candy in their stockings. It seemed like hours and eventually years when Daddy finally came to join us in opening presents. The kids could hardly contain themselves. And yes, we do the painstakingly tradition of having one person open a present so everyone can see what was given, to have it last longer and appreciate what is given and to torture the children. Here again is another list of all the gifts that our family receieved:

Matthew- Smash Up game, Best qualities book from his wife, Star Wars light switch cover, homemade mini Magic book point tracker, and money from Brooks family
Lori- Pentatonix CD, Oranment from Ethan, Tablet from Brooks family
Ethan- Minecraft Lego Set: The Mine from Santa, Lego table, magic cards, new wallet, and Minecraft blankie from Dad and Mom, Money from Brooks family, Minecraft mini figures from Uncle Anthony
Addison- Minnie Mouse Birthday Clip On Dress Up Set from Santa, Minnie Mouse Chest of Drawers for Minnie clip on clothes, Homemade pink and purple tutu, big Minnie Mouse animal, and a new wallet from Dad and Mom, Money from Brooks family, Minnie Mouse Art and sticker set from Uncle Anthony 
Tuggle- Yes, even the dog got a little gift from the family. A new rubber football that you can put treats in and a new bone to chew on. I think though that he was just in heaven to have so many people over later to play with him and to get so many wonderful crumbs from the kids. 
Ethan and Addison also received a couple of fun games from Grandpa and Grandma Brooks. 

Later on that day everyone came to our house the the big Christmas feast, provided by Pappi. We were so grateful and blessed with Pappi's wonderful cooking this Christmas. He again spoiled us with ham and turkey, funeral potatoes, jello, beans, cranberry's, the cheese balls and other foods from our Christmas Eve festivities and more. My favorite is the potatoes and I probably ate more than half of them. I said I gained at least five pounds Christmas Eve, well I am sure that I gained double that on Christmas. Thank goodness New Years is coming up. I wonder what my new year's resolution should be???? 
During this Christmas we were all counting down and talking about when Uncle Mark, Terry and Katy were coming. They were to arrive in the next few days and we were all so excited. We hadn't seen them in a couple of years. In fact, we had never meet Katy yet and couldn't wait to see her. 
    We hoped that Grandpa and Grandma Brooks loved the picture and movie gift cards that we all pitched in as kids to get them. We also hope that the Brooks family clan (meaning Mindy's family and Heidi's family) all had a wonderful Christmas with all their family's. 
  So as you can see, yes, we were spoiled. Even Mommy felt embarrassingly spoiled by the wonderful gifts given this Christmas. But even with all the wonderful gifts we loved just being with family and seeing how spoiled and blessed we are in love around us.