Twas the night before Christmas....

and all through Grandmothers' house,

all the cousins were smiling,

even the aunts.....

the packages were wrapped with tender loving care,

in hopes that St. Nick would soon be there.

On Christmas eve night, we go to Blake's grandmothers to celebrate with his aunts, uncles and cousins.

The men sit together and chat in one room and the ladies usually gather in the other....its tradition:)

Everyone draws a name for gift giving....and it's kept a secret until that very night! 

It was also our new baby cousins' first Christmas! Miss Callie is the FIRST girl in 58 years in Blake's family.

Yes, FIFTY EIGHT years. 

And she's a gem worth waiting for...beautiful, sweet, smiley, content and easy going.

Callie reminds me so much of Lukey when he was a baby. And with their dark hair and brown eyes, they could pass for siblings:)





She may just have to come and live with me!

Callie and Luke are 15 months apart...so technically she could be his little sister. ha!

*side note: Luke was hanging on my leg during this picture, saying, "no, no, hold me!"










Joy got Callie her first American girl doll and she loved drooled all over it!


Nana (aka Aunt Donna) getting some kisses!                               Drew, Kelsey and Callie


The boys:)
Bryson, Blake, Layton and Ross

Then it was play time!!

and wrestling time with Clay....

But what I love most about Christmas, is the fact that we all take time out of our busy schedules, gather together to remember our Savior and love on each other....

its priceless...

and we give extra kisses and hugs too!

and what else do I love about getting together?

Special aunts that gave somebody, I wont name names (Brenda!), their first taste of Sprite!

It was "lip-smacking/hand on the hip" GOOD!