The Week after Christmas

 The week after Christmas was spent in our pajamas cuddling on the couch.

 It was also spent cleaning out rooms and closets.

 While cleaning out Madi's room I found a few drawings that she completed of some of her pottery art work and an owl piggy bank she has. 

 I wanted to document her creative art work with pictures!

 We were also able to spend time with my high school friend Shannon and her husband Joe.  We weren't able to attend their wedding last year in Pennsylvania but thankfully they made a day trip to Lubbock while visiting her family in Midland.

 We had a great lunch and it was wonderful to catch up again.  A New York/Pennsylvania trip MAY have been planned!

 I've also spent some of the week redoing the guest bedroom. 

 I found a quilt and pillows I like then finally found lamps.  Still looking for items for the wall and a sideboard cabinet for Madi's sewing materials.

 We've also enjoyed a few family movie nights complete with popcorn and pajamas!  Madi's still wearing my pajamas every night.

 Poor Noodle sure is getting older so Madi is holding her every chance she gets. 

Madi had her friend Devyn over to play and she went to her house as well plus we've enjoyed breakfast at Cracker Barrel with Grandma and Grandpa so we have definitely packed in quite a bit of fun the week after Christmas!

The Day after Christmas!

 Being gone for over a week on our cruise right before Christmas made it difficult to get all the fun things in before the big day.  So we stretched things out a bit!

Madi loves her puppies and loves wearing my new pajamas. 

 Everyone came over Monday afternoon to make Christmas candy, fudge and suckers.

 We snacked on a cheese log and spinach dip with veggies then enjoyed a wonderful ham dinner.

 Everyone helped out making the candy and then left with a huge bag full!

 It was such a fun day!

Christmas Day!

 Day 25:  Fred ended his visit with us reading about the Christmas story from Madison's bible.

 Christmas morning, Madi had already come to our room because of the horrible wind storm outside.  

Soon she was ready to go see her presents!

 Santa brought markers, books, make-up, dream-catcher kit, and more!

  While Daddy made our coffee, Madi and I sorted the gifts out.

 She wanted to open the gifts from Grandma and Grandpa Heider first.  All were a hit!  Especially her pocket knife.  She used it to open her boxes and already got a small cut.  It's officially been broke-in!

 She loved all the gifts we got her as well. 

 Madi and Mommy with sleepy eyes and bed head!  She was so excited for me to open my gifts (pajamas, pillow, earrings, and more!).

 Daddy loved his ceramic griddle for fixing his girls breakfast each morning!

 But his Apple watch was definitely a favorite!  Although he loved his sound machine, scentsy warmer for work, and cologne too.

 Then it was time to get ready for church!

 Christmas day was spent relaxing and enjoying the day together. 

Matt made some fudge.

 Then we enjoyed a fire outside while my favorite dinner of ribs were on the grill!

 I still can't say no to a bubble bath invitation with my girl while we watched a Christmas movie.

 We ended the evening with a game of Clue which Madi won rather quickly!

 Then we watched her play with the circuits Aunt Erin and Uncle Cody got for her.

 She has these at school too so she wanted to show us what she'd done before.

It was a wonderful day celebrating Christmas with our family.

Christmas Eve is FINALLY here!

 Day 24:  (Thank goodness!) Fred added one final decoration to our house.

 Madi's nutcracker collection sure grew this year!

 After we relaxed all morning, it was time to head to meet up with the family at the movies.

 Kid pic!

 Of course we had to follow with some silly pictures!

 Maci wanted no part of it!

 Grandma, Grandpa, Matt, Uncle Cody, Tripp and Tucker went to see the new Star Wars movie while Aunt Shelle, Madi, Maci and I saw Sing.  Both were cute movies!  We walked the mall for a while since our movie let out before the others.

 Then we met at Albarron's for a yummy Christmas Eve dinner! 

 I had to take two pictures to get the whole crew . . .

 But we were all there and had a good time.

 Then we headed to our house to open presents and play a few games.

 Everyone was so excited to open gifts!

 Maci loves the super hero dolls.

 Grandpa loved the "World's Best Grandpa" pin that Madi bought at her school.  He decided his golf hat would be a great place to put the pin.  :)

 Then it was finally time to play Speak Out!  Aunt Shelle first saw it and we knew it would be perfect for Christmas Eve.  I couldn't stop laughing!

 Matt and his girls!

 I had to video most of the game because it was too funny to not capture!

 

 Then we played a candy cane game where you had to get as many candy canes to the other side of the room only using the candy cane in your mouth.  It was harder than it looks. 

As usual, we were all sad as the night came to a close. 

But we had work to do to get ready for Christmas morning!