Christmas 2014

We started our celebration of Jesus's birth with 4 pm mass on Christmas Eve. Actually it started with outfit fails for the kids. I thought Noelle's Christmas dress from last year would fit and it didn't. And Kellen's 3T outfit that he got for his birthday dwarfed him. Thank goodness his 24 month outfit fit and my mom had just given Noelle a snowflake dress! At church, the kids were pretty good considering we were there for almost two hours. After mass, we drove over to the Hollywood's to see our friends, eat some yummy food, and exchange gifts for the kids. It was a relaxing night and is a nice tradition, despite the absence of the Dobucki crew now that they are in Illinois.

The cutest reindeer ever :)

Not too shabby. At least everyone is looking!

Opening his book from the godparents

Noelle took this one. We look dorky but I love it anyways!

Christmas morning the kids awoke to see what Santa, mom and dad, Bryan's mom, and his grandmother had put/sent for under the tree. This was the first year where the kids really tore in to the presents. They wanted to open everything and then check things out instead of the whole lets open one thing and play with it method of our past Christmases. This actually served us well since we wanted to leave town by 11 to get to my parents for Christmas dinner. Santa came through with the scarf and yo-yo, and added in a toy for Kellen, umbrella for Noelle, and Elsa and Olaf hats for the kids. Mom and dad got the kids some books, CDs, and a few toys each, including a marble run to share which has been a big hit. Grandma added a sleeping bag and science stuff for Noelle and some Jake and Leapfrog games and Tot Clock for Kellen and great grandma sent an assortment of books, toys, and clothes. The kids even each got a watch each from my godmother. As always, the kids were very lucky and everyone was super generous.

Santa and lots of family members filled up the space around our tree!

The whole morning was kind of a blur. Literally.

Mom, Please.

Maddie got some treats. And we were in "her room" for about an hour straight which I guess she liked.

After a breakfast of leftover Christmas Eve brownie trifle and sausage (separate from one another, and yes, I had grand plans for something more impressive but that trifle couldn't go to waste!) we packed up and headed out of town for our NC Christmas. It was great to have Bryan be able to come with us this year and we made record time despite two bathroom breaks. Soon after we arrived, my mom served cream of crab soup, prime rib, baked tomatoes, green beans, potato casserole - all my favorite foods. It was an amazing meal and we are thankful they hosted us and saved the good stuff for Christmas Day so we could join them for dinner!

Then the kids opened even more presents. One of the biggest hits was probably Jake's Skull Rock. Unfortunately it speaks. Loudly. And we forgot to forget it in NC. But Kellen loves it so thanks Uncle Mike, I guess! We also got a zoo membership from my grandmother which we are excited to use in 2015! The kids got some other goodies also including two games - the classic Hungry Hungry Hippos and a Disney Find It/Candyland type game that were also big hits and a Jake puzzle which is perhaps the most loved gift of all.

The weather in NC was wonderful the first few days of our trip. We spent time outside walking on the beach, at Jockey's Ridge, hiking down by the canal, and checking out the walk through lights in Manteo at the Elizabethan Gardens. We also went to the local crazy lights house in Nags Head again this year. I got some lovely runs in, Maddie got lots of exercise, and it was so nice to forget the heavy jackets for a few days. The rain came in and brought the cold before we headed home but I guess that prepared us for the current frigid temperatures here in Maryland.

My loves before our dinner out. Daddy was home with his migraine.

Ready to ride through the lights.

The lights were pretty amazing. Even if my dad and brother won't admit it.

Noelle, Grandmom, and one of Frosty's friends.

Me and my little angel.

Kellen I think you are almost smiling. And looking at the camera.

Look mom, no coats!

My little ladies.

The Crazy Paulos house

Kellen liked it because there were trains.

But was sad when we had to leave those trains.

As always we had a fabulous Christmas season. We are so blessed and thankful for our friends and family. And hopefully our kids remember that Jesus in the reason for the season! Merry Christmas!