Christmas 2010: Wahrenbrock's & Adams'

We wrapped up our Christmas celebrations with parties on Sunday & Monday evenings. First was our gathering with my extended family on mom's side. We hosted this party at our house, and had a great time! Mom cooked a delicious dinner for everyone to enjoy (I said I hosted, but in location only. I didn't cook, which I'm sure all appreciated, as I could never make a Christmas dinner as yummy as my mom!)

Sydney & Lucy cuddle up for a bit, and then it is. . .
. . .Present time!

Russ was simply thrilled with his 1000 piece puzzle and the ever-popular pooping reindeer. (Calvin actually WAS really excited about the reindeer, but got mad when everyone ate the brown jelly bellies, so it couldn't "work" anymore. . .)

The kids getting their gifts from Grandma Cheryl:

When it was time to go, Brynn, Lucy, and Oliver did a group hug; have you ever seen anything cuter?

Bye, Lucy! Thanks for coming!

Our final Christmas party was with the Adams'. Again, we hosted, because, well why not? The kids spent the majority of the time downstairs playing. They had bikes, trikes, tractors, and cars all going. . .I knew we didn't finish our basement yet for a reason.

Meanwhile the adults munched on some appetizers upstairs.

The kids enjoyed opening their LAST Christmas present of the season.

Hey mom, look at my hand!

Mom & best friend, Madlyn:

Me and best friend, Ashli:And my best Christmas gift ever: a healthy Violet!

I just love the hustle & bustle of Christmas, and the opportunity to spend time with family & friends. I am always so sad to see it come to an end! I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas season -- we in the Dwyer household certainly did!

Santa !

Santa knows we aren't home on Christmas Eve, so he is kind enough to postpone his visit for a day. After we finished up Christmas at Jo & Denny's, the boys went outside to throw the reindeer food on the lawn that Calvin made in preschool. (It was a bit cold, so the boys let Daddy do most of the work.)

Then, as we always do, we read "The Night Before Christmas". . .. . . and the boys put out cookies and milk for the big guy & carrots for his reindeer (along with the food on the lawn, I guess).
After everyone was sound asleep, I thought I heard something. Has he been here?

Here are our sleepy heads coming out to see their goodies!

I think Santa did well!

Christmas 2010: Grandpa Denny & Grandma Jo's

As we do every year, we spent a wonderful Christmas Day at Jo & Denny's. Look at all of those good-looking children!

After Ella & Violet wore their purple velvet at the Big Dwyer Christmas, Sydney remembered that she, too, had a purple dress. The girls are too cute! (Take note of the little chair Violet is sitting in; Russ made this in shop class while in high school, and it is just the perfect size!)

The boys are pretty handsome, too.

Then we took some family pictures:

And finished with the grandparent pictures:

Jo had her house decorated so beautifully -- Look at that tablescape!

I thought these centerpieces were just gorgeous!

And look at how pretty her mantle was. . .

When it was time for dinner, the kids got their special little glasses with sparkling juice to drink.

A Christmas toast:

After dinner, the much-anticipated present opening commenced. Do these kids look spoiled or what?

Violet can't decide which one to open first.

Some of the boys' favorite gifts:

Violet is just getting around to deciding which gift to open first!

Grandma Jo is looking at her photo screen we gave her.

One of the best gifts each year is the new pajamas -- could they look any cuddlier?

Oliver & Ross got matching yellow jammies, which I thought were just adorable.

Once all of the presents were opened (which took about 3 minutes flat), it was time to move on to stockings. Grandma Jo has a stocking for EVERYONE. Here is our family's side of the fireplace:

Calvin decided it was quicker to just dump out the contents of his stocking.

The Little Miss got some yummy chocolate in hers, which she devoured.
Once everything was opened/unwrapped/looked through, it was time to start playing with all of the new toys! The barn from Aunt Joy was a huge hit with the boys. . .

. . .and with Violet (who actually got IN the barn at one point!).
The boys also just loved playing with Ella's doll house, which was pretty cute.

And Calvin stuck close to Jackson when he was playing his new DS. Calvin really wanted a DS for Christmas, but he just got his Leapster last year, so we'll make that last a little longer.

I love it that the kids have so much fun playing with their cousins. We are so blessed to get to spend such quality time with all of our family at Christmas time!