On the first day of Christmas....(a look back at our celebrating!)

Are you done celebrating Christmas or do you have one last family celebration to go? We had our last celebration on Sunday, and a total of 4 between the past few weeks.  They were all wonderful! Not perfect, as the pictures may suggest.  But, nearly.  We had such good food and even better company.  My sisters and I have 11 kiddos between the three of us so family gatherings are such a blast.  There are always more than enough cousins to go around!  

I must confess that I have what feels like a billion photos of all the Christmases and they are good medicine for my soul, which is precisely why I'm posting every single one.  I've just spent an hour on the phone with the American Heart Association Customer Service Department and have a 5-hour CPR course to take this week.  A little photography medicine is in order this morning, don't you think?  This Christmas season was so merry and so bright.  Here's how it looked from my side of the lens: 

The boys are into "visiting" now.  

Christmas at Granna's! The kiddos played a game and the boys won, so they opened their presents first.

ROAR!

My mom is an excellent seamstress.  She made this costume for my nephew! 

And now time for the girls!

Isn't this the cutest?! My mom also made these adorable Little House on the Prairie dresses for all the girls!  Anna Ruth has hardly taken hers off since, even sleeping in it on occasion. 

Later the girls did school time.  My oldest niece was "Anne of Green Gables", a.k.a. the teacher for the little ones.  

During all the festivities we also snuck in a quick trip to see the Lights on the Square, complete with a pony ride for the girls!

This was Christmas at Grandma and Papaw's, where we visit once a month or so.  I grew up having Christmas here so this always feels like a wonderful walk down memory lane. 

She and Betsy are a hoot together! 

We also celebrated my uncle's birthday during the Christmas celebration! 

My twin and I always have something to laugh about. 

My sweet Grandma buys a gift for each grand-child.  

The grown-ups (and more grown-up kiddos) exchange names each year for presents.  Brett picked out this water canteen for K! 

*Someone* (not me) got Grandma a poker book! We had such a great laugh over this! 

Christmas at our house was pretty great too! I made so many yummy recipes I need to share on the blog, including this homemade caramel popcorn.  In fact, I wish I had some right now!

The secret dollhouse Brett and I spent hours on was finally revealed and it didn't disappoint! 

The girls also got a disco ball they've been eyeing at Lowe's for a long time.  Party at our house! 

I know for some this time of year is so tricky and difficult.  I don't take it lightly that we have gobs of family to sit between, plenty of people to share conversation and laughter with.  I am so, so grateful and look forward to sharing our home with our foster children in the years to come.  

Now wish me luck on my 5-hour CPR course and paperwork galore this week! 

No worries though, no matter how busy things get on this side of the screen I'll most likely still show up on the blog.  It is good medicine for me too.  

What are you up to this week?