"boxing day", new year's eve, and epiphany

The day after Christmas, we cleaned up a bit and the kids sorted out their piles of toys to pose for their traditional Christmas toy picture.

We normally also celebrate Boxing Day by having my whole family over for our big holiday meal, but we postponed it this year since my sister was coming in the next day.  Sadly, she had to cancel those plans, but the dinner was already planned so we kept it that way.  This gave us time to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens with Uncle Danny instead.  The kids also got to open presents from him since he had gotten in late on Christmas night.  And who doesn't love Uncle Danny and more presents?

Gus might have thought this day was better than Christmas...

On the 27th, we celebrated "Boxing Day."  We feasted and the kids broke poppers...

Then we tried out some sparklers outside.

Sometimes these pictures turn out a little bit haunting...

Nora was so thrilled to have a big girl like Lucia around to play with her and especially to be an Elsa to her Anna...

She also like all the candy around the house, but having Nano and Nana come visit was probably a close second to the candy.

There was lots of candy...

Uncle Danny helped the kids make a gingerbread house...

In his usual fashion, Baabee helped add Reindeer poop...

On New Year's Eve the Kerstings came over along with some other old GP friends of Zach's.  We did a 10:00 midnight with confetti poppers and noise makers.

Then we took the kids outside to send off a floating lantern...

Then some more sparklers because we still had so many left over...

Then we watched the floating lanterns in Tangled...

Then we let the kids demolish to gingerbread house...

We played games...

And then somehow it became real midnight before we got any kids into bed.  Whoops.  This is a nice picture of Zach and I probably right before everyone decided to meltdown into a pile of tears.

 We kept our decorations and dead tree up until the Epiphany.  We usually have one last night of reading Christmas books by our fireplace, but this year we added an Epiphany tradition of chalking our door as and saying a blessing.  I hope to keep doing it.  It was a nice way to bring closure to the season.  I never really want it to end, but it nice to get back to a calmer life... because that always happens, right?

christmas day 2015

As usual we had a bright and early wake up call on Christmas morning.  Everyone piled into our bed to put Jesus in the manger and sing "Happy Birthday." (Also, this picture is deceiving.  The only reason the boys are cozy in our bed is because we made them wait until 6:00 am to wake up Nora)

Then they ran out to check out the loot Santa left.

Nora was happy to find her ponies and tea set and Gus got his Obi Wan and Starfighter...

Jimmy was excited to find both a WVU football helmet and jersey...

Then many more things were opened and played with...

Nora was pretty excited about getting both an Anna and Elsa dress...

 
She got more Strawberry Shortcakes that happily found a home in the pony house...

Baby Dear even got a new dress, too!

We are so lucky to get to spend this special day with so many wonderful loved ones...

We all went out to enjoy the beautiful morning and break in the new football...

Baabee showed up to join the fun...

The Kerstings came for a visit, too, and all the kids tried to attack the aunts...

Then we broke out Jimmy's new game, Forbidden Island...

That evening we went over to the Burch's and Gus got a present from his godparents...

It was the Anakin lightsaber he had been coveting. 

Jack helped him put it into good use....

The boys got some awesome Star Wars Legos from Mimi and Johnny...

And Nora got a Disney princess set...

Games were played, food was eaten, drinks were had.  

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!