Everyday Eddins: Christmas 1.0 & 2.0!

Our family is very busy during the holidays! We have a lot of stops to make, but it just means that we are lucky to have so many people we love close by so we can celebrate the holidays with them!

Our first Christmas was Saturday, December 22nd in Anamosa for the Zumbach Christmas! Lila has been extremely patient with all the gifts sitting around the tree, so she was thrilled to learn that we would be heading to a place where she could finally open a gift!

Ready to go!

We got to Aaron and Deb's house a little after 1:00 and it wasn't long before Deb had pulled up some toys for Lila. She was so content with the toys, she played and played while the adults caught up! It has been too long since we have seen this side of the family.

Loving the toys Aunt Deb found!

The dollhouse kept her busy for hours!

It was finally time for Lila to open a gift! She trotted right over by Aunt Deb and Aunt Chris and happily opened her present, a recordable book version of "Twas the Night Before Christmas!" This little girl loves books, so she was happy!!!

Opening up her gift

Taylor received "Snow in a Can," so the kids (big and small) got quite the kick out of playing with this novel item. Lila kept asking me to feel it, so I finally gave in and the first words out of my mouth were, "it feels like when a diaper gets wet, those gel beads inside." Sure enough! It said it right on a piece of paper that came with the "snow," that it was very similar to the same stuff they use to make diapers absorbent. Weird!!!

Playing with the 'snow in a can'

Spending time with the Zumbach family was a nice way to kick off our holiday gatherings. We always enjoy our time with that side of the family, even if it isn't often enough!

Today, Sunday the 23rd, found us heading North to Lamont for the Smith family Christmas! I know I have said this in previous blogs, but this is a very casual, fun day! We have a lot of people on that side, so the house is always bursting at the seams, there is always someone to catch up with, and the laughter is always heart-warming!

When we got there, it didn't take long to notice that Audra and Lila were wearing matching outfits, not planned at all! You gotta love Target! I must add, they looked absolutely adorable!

Matching little darlings!

The (little) girls!

Grandma & her Great Grandgirls!

It wasn't long and the young girls were tearing into their gifts! Grandma always buys for everyone and then we do a drawing, too. Lila was a happy little girl while opening! She got a lot of really great things including: a whole bag full of Crayola goodies, a puzzle, a magnetic princess dress-up doll, a beautiful necklace, etc.

Unwrapping her Crayola goodies!

So, I failed to mention that Lila visited Santa earlier this year. She very bravely sat on his lap and declared she wanted, "PRINCESSES!" for Christmas. Now, she isn't picky, she doesn't have a favorite princess, she loves them all. So, you can imagine her excitement when she opened a princess doll & outfit!

She hugged the box before the wrapping paper was even off of it!

Happy Girl!!!

Carson & Erin passing the time while others open gifts

Two of my favorite girls!

Grandma always has a themed gift each year and this year she was in China, so we got gifts that came back with her! For the guys, they were wireless Beats brand speakers and for the girls it was Coach purses! Some of us got crossbody bags and others got totes! Super cute!

All the grand girls & Grandma!

All the grandkids!

So far we have had a wonderful start to our Christmas festivities! We have five more get togethers yet and we are looking forward to each of them!!! More Christmas posting to come!