A whirlwind of Christmas festivities!

Christmas Eve day started off with a lovely surprise from my dear husband! It was a nice day, with the temperature in the low 40s and we managed to find a few minutes of free time to get out and take a nice walk. Then the festivities began!

We have spent Christmas Eve with my sister Margaret and her family for many years. We had a delicious dinner and then everyone to the living room for the presents. My middle child, Benjamin and my niece Elizabeth were patiently waiting for the rest of us, along with Socks the dog and either Boots or Mittens (I can't tell one from the other) one of the cats.

My oldest son Courtney always has a "unique" gift for his cousin Elizabeth. Last year's was a Nerf shooter and this year, an air horn! She couldn't have been happier when she opened the gift.

Courtney delighting in Elizabeth's response to his gift!

My dear niece Robyn, with the necklace that Uncle Mark and I gave her. I swear once she put that on she looked so grown-up!

Then back home where Ben and Allison would open their gifts from Mark and me. They had other family events to attend so we celebrated with them Christmas Eve.

Allison is modeling the sweater I had my aunt Jean make for her. It looked perfect on her!

Our gift to both of them was a Keurig coffee maker. It was a hit!

Our gift to Ben was a pair of snowshoes. Now I have someone else to go with me, Ben and Allison! Also Elizabeth received a pair of snowshoes so we shall have to include her! And guess who all the "stuff" in the background belongs to?? Hint: the college student!

Here she is, all ready to go to work Christmas Eve at the nursing home. I am so proud of her for volunteering to work that night. This was the first year she would not attend the annual Christmas Eve party at her aunt Margaret's. She loves the patients and wanted to be with them this night. I guess that's another sign of her growing up.

However, when she arrived home later that evening she opened her gift from Ben and Allison. She was overjoyed with her new laptop case in a Vera Bradly print that she loves. I wished I knew Ben and Allison's secret to choosing all of us the most perfect gifts! Actually all three of my children come up with the best gifts.

My college girl is all ready to start her next semester in style!

Christmas morning Ashton was off bright and early to Eric's house as there was to be a very special present for Eric's mom. So we waited to do our own Christmas until later that day. Ashton soon met us at Mark's stepmother's house where we have our annual Christmas breakfast each year. Its a busy and fun morning with Mark's brothers and sister and their spouses as well as his stepmom, stepgrandmother and nieces. And Ashton was the one to find the pickle in the tree this year. One can spend hours searching the tree for that pickle! Another fun Christmas tradition.

Here we are after breakfast. Ashton and I had matching Nick and Nora pjs this year. However Mark and Ben didn't seem interested in wearing such finery! Most family members wear their Christmas pjs to Lee's , another tradition we love.
And then a quick trip home to check on Buddy and then off to Eric's parents house for a turkey dinner with his family. We had a wonderful visit. Here is the reason why Ashton left very early for Eric's house that morning:

This was a gift to Pat (Eric's mom) from Eric, his dad, his brother and his girlfriend. She is the sweetest little pup. Oh we would have loved to have brought her home with us.

Ashton was in her second childhood as she received a Bop-It for a gift. Next stop, Mark's grandmother's! We visited her along with his brothers and their families. She was happy to have us come by. Finally we came home and I took a short nap! Soon Ashton returned home for our gift giving.

This beautiful sweater was made for Ashton by my Aunt Jean. Ashton was thrilled with it, I had to wrap the sweaters for Allison and Ashton as soon as I received them in August so that I wouldn't give the girls their gifts right then and there!

So we all had a most wonderful Christmas and look forward to more fun in the New Year. May all of you have a wonderful and Happy New Year!