A very long Christmas post

We had a wonderful Christmas this year!

The candy house before ....

He was left alone for one minute, and I returned to find this.  He was up on the table chewing away.  The candy house was destroyed minutes after it was completed.

He needs some trains that actually fit on the tracks.  Sad Santa didn't think of that earlier.  Next year!

A very large box came in the mail which provided some good entertainment.

Re-enacting Lady and the Tramp with licorice.

There never was a more beautiful child.  Never!

Grammie's Christmas party at Brio's with the entire Jackson clan.

Benj thought it was too loud.

First ever Jackson nativity was a complete success! My first time as director and narrator.  Good thing I have had so many years of experience watching my dad.  

 Christmas Eve

First Christmas Eve with just our little family of four.
Benjamin goes bowling for the first time ever.
It was "all business" for him.

My "I've-been-robbed" face.

We really had the most perfect Christmas Eve with all the snow that fell that day.

First time sledding.  Also wish Santa had thought to bring a sled.

Christmas Eve.  Wondering if Santa is going to get burned coming down the chimney.

On Christmas Eve we headed out to see the lights at the zoo, but after our car slipped down the street we decided to turn around and go home.  We were all bundled up so we went for a walk around the neighborhood in the storm.  It was crazy and fun.

 Christmas Day

Christmas morning!  Opening presents!

The mess.

Darling clothes for the kids from Nana and Tada in Germany.  I die.

Christmas breakfast at the Tate's.  We all got ice cream makers!  We're getting excited for a freeze-off this summer!

Christmas day evening we had all the Cravens over for dinner.  Spencer and Xan admiring his new vest from Germany.

Benjamin's favorite toy is probably his little Thomas the train.  It has gone through one battery per day so far.

Craven family chaos.

Natalie and Rich take advantage of the mistletoe hanging above my doorway.

 After Christmas

Day after Christmas, we hit the slopes for some sledding.

My baby's beautiful blues.

Added bonus of the cold weather: icicles!

We went shopping after Christmas to get Maddie some boots and I couldn't believe they already had all their spring stuff in the stores!  Then I remembered how I made this little boots last year when I was pregnant with her.

I'm kind of proud of how they turned out.

She likes the snow too!

Today we take off for Midway to spend New Year's with the Craven crew.  Love this time of year especially because of all the time spent with family!