Welcoming Twenty-Seventeen

We hop on an airplane to head near across the country tomorrow morning.  Our little party of 5 plans on welcoming 2017 with a much anticipated vacation.  More to come on that later.

However, my littles do not let traditions take the way side, even if we are in the midst of a suitcase tsunami around here.  So S'mores, Campfire, and Fireworks lived on this New Years's Eve.

We decided to combine efforts with a few neighborhood friends.  A pizza dinner at their place and back to ours for dessert and the light show.

Apparently the "dress yourself" gift is still in full swing around here.  I plan to have that remedied by the time we head back to school.  Don't mistake me for completely losing it just quite yet.

{And I know what you are thinking...she matches.  Well yes, but that is a linen dress in December with wool tights.}

Lucy was a S'mores cooking {and eating} fool.  She knows how to say goodbye to a year past.

We topped our evening off with a fantastic light show put on by Daddy.  We then politely scooted our kids to bed and the guests out the door....we've got a big first day of 2017 ahead of us!

Goodbye 2016...you've been amazing to us in every way.  Looking forward to more adventures and blessings ahead.

Hello Christmas Morning! {and Evening}

Just popping in to share an abbreviated version of our Christmas Day {I've still got a house full, so I will make this quick}.  The little ones awoke with eyes wide and a house full of family who adore them...can't get much better than that.

First stop was the kid's Christmas tree in the basement {as always}.  Santa left each kid's Santa bag overflowing with goodies.  These pictures hardly do the excitement justice.

After much package opening and battery installing, we made it upstairs to exchange grown up gifts.  The little ones were right in on it.

Rock star Lucy could not resist the opportunity to entertain an audience.  She disappeared for a split second to come back up looking like this.  If only this picture had sound.

Christmas Day was absolutely beautiful {a stunning 70 degrees}  The fam took the opportunity to try out some of our new toys and engage in a friendly game of PIG.

Yes, that is legit my 80 year old Grandma catching air.

Come evening it was time to get cleaned up and somehow make a path through all the wrapping paper and bows.  It was near time to host Christmas dinner for my Dumbacher side of the family.  I had a whopping 17 guests...so fun, festive...and loud.

We literally utilized every table in the house to accommodate our guests.  The kiddos graciously took bar seats which were conveniently located next to the dessert counter.

To work off those extra Christmas calories, Maggie organized a game of Twister for the crew.  My mom, surprisingly, was one of the champs.

The remainder of the evening was spent enjoying one another, lots of laughs and drinks, and a cleaning a very entertained-in kitchen.

Merry Christmas to all!  Loving that this season brings us all together...ahhh.

Christmas Eve

A little old and a little new in the traditions department this Christmas Eve.  But, my, my were these kids excited.  They woke up like it was Christmas morning.  Maggie first {say at 5:30 am...yikezers!}.  She quickly managed to make her rounds and have everyone up with her including the "grands".

I was totally not prepared for that.

As always, Clay and I like to give the kiddos the gifts from us on Christmas Eve.  I don't know who was looking forward to this more...me or them?  I just knew they would all be thrilled. This year the kids all exchanged gifts with one another as well, it was mighty precious! 

We headed down to the basement where we keep kids gifts and got busy.  The excitement was nearly combustible.

Jack got Cozmo and was beyond intrigued with it.  Those two played for hours and quickly became best buddies. Cozmo has already proven to have quite a personality and seems to prefer me over Daddy...Jack gets a kick out of that.

The girls each got Hatchimals!  We let Santa know we would be covering this wish list item.  Those eggs need a lot of undivided attention to hatch so why not fill Christmas Eve doing just that.

Lucy's hatched in a quick 20 minutes.  Maggie's was much more stubborn.  "Hatchy", as she named her, finally arrived a good hour later.  Since then, both "Sparkles" {that would be Lucy's} and "Hatchy" have gone through two stages of life and can talk, dance, and walk.

From there we added a new tradition to our Christmas Eve.  Since both Grammy and GG were here we figured we might as well have our gift exchange before the madness of Santa's visit.

If you were to ask me, I would honestly say that giving to these special ladies was the best part of the exchange.  I imagine the kids were really digging the "receiving" part though.  It may have had something to do with Toys vs. Clothes & Jewelry.

Needless to say, this little trio of mine was spoiled once again.

Back to the "Old", we headed to the kitchen for our traditional Gingerbread House making.  I would like to say my children's very unfestive attire was an accident.  However, I let it go this year.  With so much going on around here I gave them each the gift of..."wear what you want today".  I didn't really regret it until I looked at my pictures.

Oh well, the house decorating did not disappoint, even with neon colored attire.

I was so impressed with Maggie this year.  She just keeps becoming more creative and meticulous.  Her final product was nothing short of amazing!

And need I say anymore about Lucy?  This picture is worth about a thousand words sprinkles.

By the way, that is a "m" on Maggie's roof.  Loved that idea.

Jack did a quick decorating job and then was back to his White House Lego that Grammy gave him.  Had he been able to actually "build" the house, he might have sustained more interest.

Immediately upon completion, Lucy dug in...face first.

Before long it was time to wipe icing filled mouths and fingers and get ready for Christmas Mass.  I won't name any names, but I actually got asked why we have to got to church on Christmas.  Oh Lord, help me...literally.

Apparently the Nativity scene visit, the books about baby Jesus, and all the references back to his birth have fallen on deaf ears.  And this is just about the time, I gave up on any Christmas attire accessory arguments.

Be prepared, you may just think I lost my marbles when you see what my girls got away with this year.

Exhibit one...a rainbow necklace and pink rhinestone bracelet...

Exhibit two...Santa socks with silver flats...{all because Jack gave them to her for Christmas...how could I argue?}

I am adoring that Grammy and GG were there to join us.

We managed to make it to Mass on time and I assume Jesus still loves us...accessories and all.

From there we all met at Grandma's house for a delicious Christmas Eve dinner and more gift exchanging.  By then Uncle Jon and Aunt Bailee had arrived...hooorah!  We had a wonderfully festive evening with the family.

The next night it was my turn to host.  Santa Claus is coming to town...