The 12 Pictures of Christmas

Wow.  So it's been awhile since I've posted.  I've been around, so travel is no excuse.  We've just been wrapped up in all that is Christmas.  It was a lovely holiday here.  We scaled back in just all about all aspects of the holiday:  less presents, fewer events/obligations, less baking.  As a result, we seemed to have more time and energy to just enjoy the holiday and the extra time with the kids.  I hate to let the holiday go by without posting some pictures, so in lieu of the daily posting I was hoping for I thought I'd just pick 12 of my favorite pictures from the last week or so.  I think they tell the story of our Christmas quite nicely.

First:  Instead of buying something for teachers and siblings this year, I turned to my kitchen.  I gave out gift bags filled with homemade cocoa mix, marshmallows, and toffee.  We taste-tested, of course, to make sure no inferior products left the Six kitchen.

Second:  My sister and her family came up from Texas.  They always bring this little guy, much to Elena's excitement. 

Third:  Learning to knit with my sister.  Maybe one day Elena can teach me.

Fourth:  Sliding down the Yule Slide at the Children's Museum.  A holiday tradition.

Fifth:  Visiting with Santa.  Shortly before this picture, Elena was holding/man-handling Eli.  She dropped him on his face.  Big fat bloody lip, blood dripping on the shirt.  So much for a lovely picture with matching outfits.  Poor, underpaid Santa.  I'll always smile when I see the picture, though.

Sixth:  The obligatory photo on the stairs before you can tear into your loot. 

Seventh:  Eli isn't used to waiting for breakfast.  I finally had to pour him a bowl of cereal so we could finish opening presents in peace.  Lucky for him, Elena made and wrapped up a "love spoon" for him.  How thoughtful and timely.

Eighth:  We got Elena the first three Harry Potter books.  Less than a week after Christmas and she's already read the first two.

Ninth:  Who doesn't love a good game of Twister?

Tenth:  Eli and cousin Marc tickling the ivories.

Eleventh:  A brand new hand-knit hat from Aunt Suzie.  We call it Ol' Blue Balls.  It is a nice Colts blue, don't you think?  And look!  Me!  In a picture!

Twelfth:  For a few brief hours my whole family was together, all 22 of us.  Do you know how hard it is to get 22 people (including 2 toddlers) to look at the camera and smile with their eyes open at the same time?  Thankfully I got photoshop for Christmas.   Just have to figure out how to use it.  This was taken at my sister Ana's Dirty Santa party in the barn behind her house.  It's my parents (who will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in '09), me, my 2 sisters and their significant others, my brother and his wife, 9 grandchildren, the spouse of a grandchild, and 2 great-grandchildren! 

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.  Wishing you all the best in 2009!