Christmas Day and beyond

getting ready to open presents.

Justin & Kendall hug, voluntarily. A rare sight!

The kids get talking parrots this year. Fake

pets, the best kind for us!

I sure wasn't expecting this little treat! Nicci

and dad sure surprised me with this. It had the

sweetest message inside, which I didn't find til three days

later.

And poor Keith gets reading glasses this year!

Some relaxing after all the gift opening :)

The following day, mom & Riad arrive for a visit.

I made rack of lamb, roasted brussels sprouts and

potato & leek au gratin- all new recipes to me...all

delicious.

Opening gifts with grandma & grandpa.

Mom is really confused with this one!

Kendall gets a new game, Funglish, and wants to

play it right away!

We've had our fair share of fun and family over the past week or so. With the Diebels before Christmas and mom and Riad the day after, it's been action-packed. Wouldn't trade it! Tonight, we (last minute) decided to have neighbors over for a bonfire and roasting marshmallows and drinking hot cocoa and cider. We had a great turnout with 12 families visiting. What a perfect night as it was very chilly- a great night to hang out by a fire! We have five children sleeping at our home tonight, or should I say NOT sleeping. I, myself, am extremely sleepy and have been all day. Hope everyone falls off to sleep soon!