Our White, White WHITE Christmas

Ella with all her presents from Santa plus Bendaroos

Hutchinson didn't get any snow but back home there was quite a bit of it. Thankfully the roads were really good and we didn't have any problems driving home. Then when we got home Santa had left the kids even more presents. Hudson loved opening presents he couldn't wait to open them, but once they were done he just hopped up and started playing with all his new toys.

A Not so White Christmas in Hutch

We had Christmas dinner at the Church because there were over 40 people, just too much for one house

The youngest three playing Ring-Around-The-Rosie while waiting to open presents

24 kids waiting for Christmas presents

Grampa and his blonde hair, blue eyed boys

Hudson telling Gramma Thank you

The three youngest laying on the bed watching Curious George

Playing games Christmas Day

Ella showing Meredith her new Leapster 2

Ella, Molly, and Brooklynn playing the piano

Meredith, Ella (& Phil) putting on a Singing Concert for us all

Hudson loved this little Horse

We finally made it to Hutch after a tough drive the first half of the trip. We arrived just into time to enjoy the great lunch. Then it was off to open presents and play games. On Sunday we went to Church and Hudson loved seeing his "Papa" up there preaching and even shouted out his name a couple of times (since his is only two he can still get by with doing that and people thinking it's cute). It was a great trip filled with lots of food, fun and family.

A Fondue Christmas

Christmas tree with all the presents (quite a bit of gifts for only 5 kids)
Nana with 4 of her 5 grand kids

Ella's New Leapster 2

We used a Web Cam to be able to see my Dad and Grandparents in Florida

Hudson talking on the Web Cam

Playing in a Punch Out Tournament

Christmas Eve night we spent at my Brother's. We had a Fondue dinner which was interesting but delicious. Then we opened presents, played a Wii Tournament and finished the night watching a movie. Then we woke up to blizzard like conditions outside for our long drive to Hutch.

Christmas at our House

He loved his new race track

Barbie styling head

Cars Geo Trax

Even after all his presents were open he still climbed into this box and read a book.

We opened presents at our house Wednesday night and Thursday morning since we were going to be gone for 4 days. The kids loved to be able to open their presents early.

Visiting Santa's Crayola Christmas Land

Picture with Santa (at least Hudson wasn't screaming like last year)

Gingerbread Train Village

Eating Lunch at Fritz's

I took the kids to Santa's Crayola Christmas Land to play and meet Santa. And no trip to Crown Center would be complete without stopping at Fritz's for lunch.

Making a Gingerbread House

Yes, I cheated this year and bought a Gingerbread house kit. It was a lot easier this way and Ella can't tell the difference. Once the house was done Ella couldn't wait to take a bite.

Tis the Season.....

Emptying out her piggy banks
One last hug for her stuffed animals

......For GIVING!

Ella is such a sweet and sensitive girl. Well in our many trips to the stores she is always seeing the Santa's ringing their bells and collecting money. So I told her what they were doing and explained that not everyone gets presents for Christmas. Then during nap time she started making piles of toys that she wanted to give away to kids who won't get presents this year. The way she made the piles was very precious. She made them into individual gifts and with each item she gave them money. She had emptied out all her piggy banks, which was about $20 because she wanted to give it all to the kids.

I am so blessed that she actually understands it is better to give than receive.

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