Our home has been full of laughter, crying, yelling, running, fighting, hugging, playing, and more running, during the past week. Five grandchildren between the ages of 10 months and 7 years old and 10 adults filled this house for the week of Christmas. "Noisy and loud" would be an understatement to describle the past 7 days. Now, all of a sudden there is a quiet hum- just the sound of the washer and dryer going! Everyone left for home today and I can't believe that Christmas went by so quickly. I am sure many of you know exactly how I feel- a little sad and a little happy that the whole thing is over. Before I begin to dismantle the holiday decorations, I want to record every detail about this Christmas. It is the 30th Christmas that we have celebrated in this home. And we have grown from a family of 4 in 1984 to a family of 13 in 2014 with significant others making it 15
(and let's not forget the 2 dogs that insist on joining in on the festivities)!
There are a whole lot of memories within the walls of this house. This is probably the last Christmas that we will spend in this house, as we will be building a new home in a warmer climate. So I am a bit sad and a bit excited . So with this in mind, here are some of my favorite Christmas pictures .
The vase of red amaryllis that continued to open as the week went by.
Touring the Chicago Botanic Gardens Winter Wonderland
Aunt Julie and Cole baking cookies for Santa
Audrey baking cookies
Taking the cookies to the fireplace- where Santa will arrive after they are asleep!
Audrey decided that we also needed apples and pears for the reindeer.
Santa's note back to the children!
The dogs claimed my daughter's gift- a lamb's wool rug- as their own!
Now it's my turn!
My daughter opening Harry's stocking for him!
The children performing a Christmas play for us! They got to pick their costumes!
Addison in her spot- ready for the present opening to begin!
. Thirty years of memories- holiday decorations,
Santa coming down that same chimney, children's squeals when finding what Santa brought,
and extremely fattening meals. What could be better than that?
From our house to yours- Merry Christmas!
One of my favorite white Christmas photos of our house!
