Christmas Party at the Klassen's

Our Christmas day fun continued at a wonderful party hosted by none other than our friends, Judi and Terry.  It was a full house with lots of food, laughter, and love!

A little photo op by the tree

(We didn't coordinate our shades of greens very well...)

 Judi, Pam, and me 

 Gerry, Terry, and Chris

 Oh how I'm going to miss this scene!  Gerry behind the bar and Chris enjoying a laugh with him.

 Now this is a tough looking Christmas gang...

Savannah, Ben, Orion, Camden, Claire, and Emma

 A Christmas feast for KINGS!

 Chris, Gerry, and Michael

 Gerry is know for his infamous jokes and we all had to hear a few of them one last time.  I was playing the role of Sister Mary Katherine. :)

 The reaction says it all!

 Where's Camden? 

I found him fast asleep upstairs.

 Just Dance 4 battles have begun!

Emma and Claire...

 Emma and me...

 Chris and Ben...

We are truly blessed to have such wonderful friends to celebrate the holidays with!

Buon Natale!

Christmas Morning 2012

It's 5:30 a.m. and look who is up and ready for the fun to begin!

 Their first glimpses of the magic Santa left behind.

 Santa brought me a Hulk Smash!

 It's Brave!

 Santa wrapped our entire TV cabinet, wonder what's inside?!?!

 IT'S A WII!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 These kiddos must have been very good this year - Santa spoiled them! :)

Camden and his new spyglass

 Monster High purse

 Who needs to type words, when the face says it all?!

 Emma thought Daddy needed little help opening his present from her.

 Emma gives Herky his gift.

 We had wait for the sun to rise before the kids got their final gift. After a delicious breakfast, I handed over the first clue of the scavenger hunt to their gifts.

 My camera couldn't keep up with them as they sprinted off to the garage!

 EZRollers!!!!!

After a few laps around the yard, the kids were ready to try out the Wii.  Chris and Emma sang Glee Karaoke.

 Chris and Camden played tennis.

 The rest of the morning, we did not hear a peep out of them as they played with all their new toys!

Christmas Eve 2012

Making cookies on Christmas Eve morning has become a tradition since we moved to Italy. My big kids were very independent bakers this year.  Besides the final mix of the dough and moving cookie sheets in and out of the oven, it was all Emma and Camden!

 After a busy morning in the kitchen,  the bakers became detectives with and important mystery to solve.

 A few pictures next to the base Christmas tree in our fancy clothes before Mass.

 Emma singing in the children's choir.

 Camden, Ben, Emma, and Claire

 Me, Chris, Gerry, and Pam

The beloved Morris family is moving to Virginia this week so going to Christmas Eve Mass with them was extra special!

 Back home and in our jammies, the traditions continue.

  Eating homemade pizza...

 ...while watching It's a Wonderful Life.

 Listening to  The Night Before Christmas.

 Camden conked out right after the story, so Emma set out the treats for Santa and the reindeer.