Let's back up a bit...

To before Christmas...and our annual Brunch with Santa at the Brown Palace. One of our faves! 

We always get there early and get to see Santa before he even starts his shift.

D and Mrs. Clause

Celie and family were there at the same time ... such a great surprise! 

Foster and I went with a reindeer theme this year.

Maida was a cute little elf, and GG even got a snowflake.

Decorating cookies

By the time we actually went to sit on Santa's lap, Daddy had left with Fossie, so they are noticeably absent from this Santa photo. 

Grandma Sally came down to stay a night before Christmas, and it was so nice spending some time with her, which included opening presents, of course.

And now for Christmas Day..it was a bummer because GG was sick, so she didn't even get to come :( D came up for a bit in the morning to watch us open our gifts, but then he left so GG wouldn't be alone on Christmas. But of course, we had to carry on and open all of our gifts..

Foster had a pirate ship and a scooter waiting for him.

It was literally a Christmas miracle, he got right on the scooter and started to ride. Thus far, this kid has not been interested in anything that required gross motor skills. But turns out Santa found the PERFECT scooter. I wish I had this when I was his age!

Then we moved onto our stockings and mine and Mae's gifts from Santa

This was me after I opened a super rare/uncommon (or whatever) Pokemon card that I really been jonesing for...and yes, we got Starbucks on Christmas. 

Then the cousins came over, and the madness ensued! Not really...I just like to be dramatic :)

Uncle Jace and I played each other in chess over and over

These things might have been one of the best Santa gifts this year ..Maida really wanted a Pogo stick,  but Santa being the reasonable guy he is knew that a true Pogo stick wasn't going to work. So he found these awesome Pogo sticks for kids (and adults alike). Only hitch is they squeak, but I'll forgive him that one misstep.

Ended the night with some movie time. We are pretty bummed because our cousins are moving back to Nebraska in a couple weeks, so this was one of the last times we will get to see them until May, so we're trying to soak it all up.

Last but not least, this was our attempt at a family photo at 7:30pm Christmas night. 

It went really well.