Christmas at the Tart house

Then finally we had my family's Christmas and dinner on Christmas night.  This Christmas was great because David didn't have to work - it will probably be some time before he gets Christmas off again.  We were so happy to spend to spend time with our family and exchange gifts.

William opening presents!

I've always enjoyed being the one to pass out presents, but this year William wanted to help out too!

William was very excited about his new basketball goal.  He could hardly wait for Daddy and Pop-Pop to get it put together.

 

Mom bought the big kids (David, Adam, and Joseph) marshmallow guns - let's just say, it was war!  And there were marshmallows everywhere!

We weren't able to make it to my Grandma Tart's Christmas this year, but I was glad we were able to see her on Christmas day.

What a wonderful Christmas weekend filled with all my favorite people!

Christmas at the Brown house

 We had Christmas lunch with David's family.  Then of course more gifts!  William loves the trains he received.  Here are some pictures of the beautiful Christmas trees - William loved the snowman Christmas tree!

Testing out his new train tracks.

We had a great time! Thank you to everyone!

Christmas morning!

Santa came to visit us at Grandma's house this year.  William was really excited to open all his presents!  He got tons of Mickey!  Santa knows just what he likes :)

Here is William and Elliott in their Christmas pajamas.

Mickey pillow pet, Mickey books, and William's first Mickey!  He did get some non-Mickey stuff too - I just didn't get any pictures :)

 David sporting his new Carolina Shoot Around

Elliott taking it all in :)

I love my little family and I'm so thankful for this time of year to celebrate the birth of our Savior.  Having a newborn at Christmas really humbles you when you think about what Mary and Joseph went through the night our Savior was born. 

Secret Person

As long as I can remember, my siblings and I have drawn names at Thanksgiving.  The person we get is the person we have to buy a Christmas gift.  We also have to keep it secret - we take this very seriously!  It was a big decision to let the spouses in on this once we started getting married.  I'm sure my parents started this when we were children just so they wouldn't have to help each of us by everyone in the family Christmas gifts - it also ends up saving quite a bit of time and money.  But it has turned out to be one of the things we look forward to the most at Christmas!  The breakdown this year:

I had Kristy

Kristy had Adam (again)

Adam had Beth

Beth had David

David had Spencer

and Spencer had me!

Oh, just another note about this year - I think it was probably the first year EVER that we only had to draw names one time.  Someone always draws their own name which means we have to start all over, but this year we got it on the first try to my Mom's relief since she's the one holding the names!

Spencer got me a gift certificate to a spa for a mani/pedi and facial - I can't wait to get some free time and a sitter so I can take full advantage!

I love my siblings so much and I'm glad we are so close!  I'm so thankful for them and for traditions like these!

Justice Christmas

We have Christmas with my grandparents, PaPa and Grandma Justice, on Christmas Eve every year.  It's always great when everyone can make it, and we weren't missing anyone this year! 

Grandma and Elliott are ready! His shirt says "Mommy's little monster" :)

The great grandkids

Time to open presents!

Grandma and Papa with Elliott

An attempt to get a picture with all of the great grandchildren. William wasn't cooperating, but he wasn't feeling well, and it was probably close to his bedtime.

 Aunt Cindy, Robert, Dexter, Amanda, and Uncle Steve

Dad and Elliott all partied out.

What a great night with great family!

Christmas at Granny's

We always look forward to seeing Granny and having some of her famous shrimp for Christmas dinner.  Here she is making Elliott smile :)

We also love having David's cousin, Kelly, and her family back in NC (they had been stationed in CA for some time).   William always has such a good time playing with the girls!

And here is Elliott cuddling with Lil' Granny.

What a great way to start our wonderful week of Christmas celebrations!