A Blessed Christmas with Family

When we were done enjoying our Christmas morning at home, we headed Southwest to Crystal Lake to enjoy the rest of the day with my family at Aaron and Erika's home.

It was a low-key, fun and not-so-quiet (because there is little quiet when you have 6 boys ages 6 and under) evening shared together.  The boys had fun playing in the basement for a while and then Erika had an ornament craft for them to do which they all loved.

The boys working on their colored salt ornaments.

My little crafter soaking in the instructions.

Baby Gabe & I on the sidelines.

Grandma helping Asher fill his ornament.

Micah in deep concentration.

My little cuddler for the evening.

After the boys were finished with their craft, we headed into the living area to snap a few family pictures and open some gifts from Grandma and Papa.

Our Crazy Family.

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Caleb & Hudson in their Chewbacca jammies.

Where did Avery go?

Mom opening a gift from Dad.  It was a bracelet that was wrapped in a box...in a box..

in a box!...in a box!!...in a BOX!!!  :)  The boys really enjoyed watching Grandma open up her fun gift!  :)

Awaiting present #2.

Grandma showing Avery his new guitar.

Asher & Eric checking out his new light up (dinosaur) building blocks.

Asher & Avery give Grandma and Papa the gifts that we made for them.  This year they got coffee cups that Said Merry Christmas! Love Asher (or Avery) and then had the corresponding handprint to make a Christmas tree made with permanent vinyl of each boy.

The boys also made Grandma an oven mitt that said "Grandma's Helping Hands".

Erika got a mug too!  Another "Goals Today: Keep the Tiny Humans Alive"

Grandma & Papa opening up our gift to both of them.  The plug-in cooler that my dad "can't find anywhere!"  ;)

After we opened up our presents, we all gathered around the table again for a delicious meal of Grandma's amazing lasagna, salad and garlic bread.

When dinner was over, we all had one more thing to open from Grandma and Papa for Christmas: Our stockings (or this year...since they forgot our reindeer stockings...our Christmas gift bags)!  :)

In each boy's stocking there was a swimsuit along with some other fun treats.  Grandma is telling them what the swimsuits are for: An upcoming family water park weekend!  Yay!  Weekend TBD.

Grandma & Papa got stockings too from all of us.  Dad's had some of the brownie mix I use which he loves.

When we were done opening our "stockings" it was getting late and our little guys were getting tired (after no naps for the day).  We said our thank you's, Merry Christmases and good-byes and then headed back home.  When we arrived at home, the boys were excited to to take a closer look at their new toys from Grandma and Papa before bed.  Asher looked over his dinosaur blocks and Avery tried out his new guitar.  The look on his face when he turned it on was priceless.  I wish I could have gotten it on video, but Eric and I both knew exactly what it meant.  He had tried the guitar out at the family gathering, but with 12 people and Emma in the house, I am not sure he could actually hear that it made any noise.  When he tried it at home and it started to play music, he was absolutely thrilled!  :)

Video: Avery Excited About His Guitar Discovery.

After a few minutes of playing with their new stuff, it was time to head to bed.  I got my new jammies on and took a few last pictures snuggled up with my little loves and their new jams.  Merry Christmas!