Girls Christmas and Kids too!

Last night we had our annual "Girls Christmas." I was trying to think how many years we had been doing this. I think this may have been the 7th one!  This started with just us girls getting together to eat, exchange some gifts, and just have fun. Now 7 years later, my ladies, all 8 of us, and our 11 kids continue the tradtion.  It really is something I love doing and it is fun! 

 

Each year we take turns hosting it.  This year it was at my friend Annette's house.  She has the cutest little (not little) but beautiful house complete with white picket fence.  (I'm a tad jealous).  Next year I already offered to host because I know (fingers crossed) that we will be in a real house next year.  I'm hoping anyways. Amy's house is the backup plan though.  We usually have a very good spread.  Half of us bring appetizers and the other half brings desserts.  We always have way too much food but it is oh so yummy.  Of course there are always some mommy drinks mixed in there too.  This year I actually made, not bought, some berry cobbler and holiday snakc mix!  Go me!  

 

Annette had a pretty tree that we put our presents under.  The kids exchange names and us ladies tried doing sort of like a white elephant this year.  

 

I wanted to take a picture of this.  Annette made it from wine corks.  Super cute!  I want one.

 

The kids started arriving and everyone looked so spiffed up especially this guy here....Jackson!

 

The kids had some snacks while we waited for a special visitor to arrive.

 

Soon, Santa Gil was there and the kids got so excited.  Jackson started screaming and freaking out.  He wasn't scared, he was just so excited!

 

In fact, he was the first one to go up to Santa.

 

The kids couldn't believe that Santa was there!  

 

Gracie went up to Santa and told him that she wanted a priness Barbie castle.

 

Even Presley went up there and told Santa that he wanted cars.  He took his gun with him.

 

Scotty told Santa he wanted some Transformers.

 

Emma was so cute.  She didn't tell Santa what she wanted.  In fact, she pretty much stood like she looks in this picture.  She didn't move.  

 

Levi was up and back in no time that I didn't even get a picture of him until he was already opening up his present from Santa.

 

Allie was a little bit shy.  This was the best pic we could get.

 

Mia was pretty excited though.

 

Sean was all business and shook Santa's hand and said that he wanted a bow and arrow.

 

Shelby is usally pretty happy.  She sat on Santa's lap but I don't think that is where she wanted to go.  She went up to him later on and talked to him some more.

 

Evie was shy too. I had to sit next to Santa and hold her for the picture.  She wouldn't even say what she wanted for Christmas.

 

She looks thrilled huh?

 

But actually no one cried!  That was a first and all the kids did sit for a picture with Santa Gil. This was the first time they all say pretty still for a minute.  I think they get used to us taking pictures like this.  Ha!

 

Seriouly, these are the cutest kids.  We have are blessed to have so many wonderful friends!

 

And here are my girlies that I cherish so dearly-Lindsay, Erin, Dana, Annette, Amy, Anne, and Jessica.  I love these ladies!

 

After Santa left, it was time to exchange gifts with the kids.  They were so excited.

 

Presley got a Hulk and Hulk car which he was zooming around.  Evie got a puzzle (her new favorite thing) and a Doodle puppy.

 

Gracie got this porcelin Wizard of Oz teaset from Sotty.  She carried this box around with her the rest of the night.  In fact, as soon as we got home, she ripped it open and put some water in the teapot. We had a tea party at like 10 last night.  

 

I made my girls these Christmas planners.  A Pinterest project of course.  It was super easy. I just used my scrapbook paper and got the notebooks at the dollar store.  I have discovered the joys of keeping a Christmas planner.  I bought mine at the dollar spot and in it I can keep track of the different parties, whose names we have in gift exchanges, lists of what I have bought and what I still need to buy, Pinterest projects I still want to make, a list of my Elf on the Shelf things, and so much more.  I use it everyday and since we had the party on the 1st, I thought that it could useful. 

 

Now normally, the girls and I, all bring a $10 gift card and then pick from them. This year we wanted to do something different.  We had to bring a $10 gift and wrap it up and then we were going to pick numbers.  Number 1 chose a gift first. Then number 2 went and they could either steal number 1's, or choose a new gift.  It went on like that.  I brought a bottle of wine wrapped in warm fuzzzy socks. (saw it on Pinterest.)  I too though, ended up witha bottle of wine and a cool wine sippy cup!  Thanks E!

 

It was nice to sit around and chat while the kids played. Presely was all about his new Hulk car.

 

Soon Annette's husband, Kevin, came home and he was attacked by kids!  He is great with them. It reminds me of Chuck.  He's not afraid to get on the floor and get crazy. Crazy until Gracie started smacking him with a frying pan. (we just watched Rapunzel recently).

 

But the kids had so much fun and so did I.  I'm sad that it's all over already. 

Thanks for hosting Annette!  Happy Girls Christmas!