Christmas Celebration on the 26th

We had our Purcell/Taylor/Howell/Finholm/Wos Christmas celebration the day after Christmas. It was a great time and the kids had fun.  The only thing that would have made it better would have been having Julie there (in person).  Poor Julie was home in Colorado with pneumonia, but she was feeling well enough for a little FaceTime during the unwrapping of gifts.

What a fun night!  The kids were spoiled rotten of course!

 excited for presents!

 grandparents and grandkids

 outtake 

 runaway Mitch

 it is a keeper!!!

 we are free!

 girl time with Celia!

 cutest girl ever!

 one tough guy!

Christmas Day

Our first stop for the day was the O'Rourke side.  We had lasagna, pizza, and salad.  Us Irish people like to pretend we are Italians on Christmas (just kidding).  It is a tradition that started a couple years ago, which works out well for us because we always go to Mike's side a few hours later and eat a traditional meal (turkey, potatoes, etc.).  The kids enjoyed playing with some of the cousins.  It is so strange that they are some of the biggest great grandchildren now, there are so many little babies around these days.

Anna and Kaitlyn playing barbies

We then headed to Mike's parents house for present opening and dinner.  The kids enjoyed opening presents of course and were spoiled rotten!  They ran around with cousins, Peter and Ben.  What a fun day and the kids were wiped out by the end of night and slept great that night!

 daddy opening a present and wondering why I'm trying to capture it on camera

 Toots impressed with the "H" the kid painted

Anna in her leotard playing with her new dress up dolls

 I love the following pictures of Peter, Drew, and Anna.  Drew did not want to take pictures and he was trying to take charge of the younger kids!

 Drew was definitely not impressed here.

Christmas Morning at Home

We had a fun-filled morning at home.  It was great having the first part of the day at home.  The kids opened many presents and enjoyed playing with everything.  Drew loved his Chiefs helmet, jersey, shoulder pads, and pants.  He ran out playing football all morning.  Anna acquired about 7 new barbies (two being "boy barbies").  They both had so much fun playing and Mike and I stayed busy opening each and every toy for the kids.

 trying to wait patiently at the top of the stairs...almost time to race down the stairs!

 new barbie dresses in her stocking!

 oh yeah - he got the helmet!!!

 the box the helmet came in kept him busy, he loves looking at all the different teams!

please don't interrupt me mom!

 stockings

 oreos!

daddy opening ornaments the kids made

thrilled!

even Nans got to try on the helmet

Christmas Eve Right Before Bed

On our way home from Pa and Toots' house Anna fell asleep.  Celebrating is hard work.  We had to wake her up so we could put out cookies for Santa and so Daddy could read Twas the Night Before Christmas. It is a tradition for Mike to read to the kids every Christmas Eve before bed.  He is continuing this tradition from his childhood, such a neat tradition!

 cookies out and ready for Santa!