Merry Christmas Love The Schafer Family

There isn't really a question, everyone knows my favorite days of the year...Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Since I was very little I have looked forward to the Eve as much as the actual day. Infact I would say it is even it's very own holiday in my eyes. Every single Christmas Eve of my entire life has been spent surrounded by family at a Christmas Party. Now it did used to be a much larger party at my Grandparents house with Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and such. About 6 years ago we broke away from that and each family started their own new party, we had gotten too large. It still saddens me quite a bit, although I am very happy with our parties still. We now do the party with just The Wilson family. With the seperation of parties we started a few new traditions. Such as PJ's....we draw names for PJ's and its a positive guarantee that Christmas morning you are going to look sharp! We also decided this party is a bit too much for one person to have to host each year. So we have started taking turns. The hostess that year is in charge of dinner arrangments and entertainment. I love these days so much!

So here is my issue this year. I got extremely sick Christmas Eve morning. I thought for sure I was going to have to for the first time in my life, miss Christmas Eve. I was sad for sure, but just wanted to be in bed. With some convincing from Nathan, my Mom and Jill....I drugged myself up with NyQuil and headed over anyway. Nathan whom I love to death....sucks with a camera, so the pictures were all blurry and just not near enough. Jill, Mom....if you got better ones, please make me a copy?!

Derek and Jill hosted this year, the kids played zingo (below) and the adults played left, right center. It was a very fun dice game and ended up getting a bit competitive, which made it even more fun. By this time I of course had hit the couch with a blanket and my tissues, but the food was great the entertainment was fun and really everyone had a wonderful time!

CHRISTMAS MORNING

I love the reaction when we walk into the kids rooms and say SANTA CAME AND THERE IS SO MUCH UNDER THE TREE!!!

This year the kids insisted that Santa got his normal cookies and milk but the Reindeer had to have carrots. They did seem to enjoy them!

Tayler and Landon's socks

Courtney, Bailey and Daisy's socks

And everyone checking out what they contained

Including Daisy

Then it was time to open gifts

Here is Landon with his new remote control Monster Trucks

Tayler with a blow dryer of her very own!

Bailey with believe it or not the gift she wanted the very most! A BATMAN BACKPACK!

And Courtney with her new bag

Kids playing with their new DSI's

At noon all the kids left for the weekend to spend the holiday with their other parents. Nathan and I went on to have dinner at my parents house and I guess because I was sick I outright decided not to take the camera. However the food was very good and we did enjoy our Christmas evening.

PS I still dont feel great, but I'm getting better :)

Merry Christmas!