Christmas Day 2010

 Oh there were smiles a plenty this fabulous morning, thanks to family, friends and of course Santa!

 Those cheeks just might be the reason I still think he's a baby. I hope he keeps them forever.

So kissable.

 Grandma and Grandpa Great's traditional $2 bill.

 Playing with the goods....

 Hitting the movies and laughing our guts out through Gulliver's Travels.

We met up with the Stanley's too and Drew's prediction came true:)

 Then over to the McGee's for Christmas Dinner. So fancy and fun.

 And it was heavenly. I think we had enough food to feed the whole town.

 The Mackenzies are so nice, it was fun to hang out with them too!

 They have the cool wii dance game and the kids rocked it all night.

 Then Lisa and I took FAME to a whole new level. She kicked my tail. It was a workout for me.

 Then we talked some trash to Todd and Jer and they could sit no longer.

 Jer's reaction when he learned that all the pics I took of him and Todd dancing turned out blurry.

 Jake and Bree sang their hearts out as Troy and Gabriella in HSM.  They were SO cute.

 The more mature version of Troy and Gabriella workin it out to Fun in the Sun From HSM2. 

These two could go on tour.

Thanks Todd and Lisa for an incredibly fun night and the perfect ending to Chrismas day!

 Back at home, the vet is FINALLY charged!

Just had to post this last one of all the people I love the most.

This fabulous Yahtzee game, made by my very talented and creative SIL, Ashley, might just be the most impressive gift of the year. We played this morning and Breanna creamed us with a double Yahtzee.

So fun. And just might be the cutest idea ever.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

The Eve of all Eves

The night we've all been waiting for finally came and it lived up to every expectation.

Exquisite food, great games, perfect presents, fabulous fireworks and bucket loads of fun.

Those Heaps know how to do Christmas Eve!

After dinner B-I-N-G-O!

Jamie's giving her boys some pointers.

Paiger's checking to see if he's called N32 yet.

Presents for all those who got BINGO (after the official caller Matt verified your BINGO was legit).

And there were even presents for those of us who didn't end up being legit.

There were lots of winners....

Love the looks on these boys faces. This was pretty exciting stuff.

Waiting for the works.

And look how perfect they all are.

Not one of em takin a chance on naughty this late in the game.

 Jer exclaimed his arms were gonna fall off after the 3rd attempt at this pic.

 Hitting the weights after early morning basketball... possible New Year's resolution.

From Pepsi to onionless potatoes to car fresheners to earrings,

Jamie, you thought of everything and it was magnifico!

Thanks Heapsters for a most memorable Christmas Eve!

Back at home we cozied up to a few of our own Christmas Eve traditions...

Luke 2

PJ's

Stories

Jaybez Dawz

Milk and Cookies

Late Night Movie for Mom and Dad

Off to spy to see if reindeer really know how to fly.

The Gingerbread Village WilLY WOnKa Style

Alicia, Jamie, Me, Katie, Shannyn and Stephanie braved this place with 18 kiddos and their sweet tooths. Dangerous.

Happy Birthday to the Birthday Boy Ashton, Big 4!

The temptation was just too great. And that red rope barrier was just too weak.

Engineer Jamie stepped in when the train derailed.
No, her talents are not limited to painting, plumbing, crafting, decorating, cooking, running marathons, hanging ceiling fans and doing hair.

This is not the kid who knocked down the red rope barrier nearly giving heart failure to the concierge.

He came from out of nowhere to fix it. I don't think paramedics move that quickly.

The scream of joy I let out when I saw this Oompa-Loompa nearly deafened Shannyn and scared baby Sam to tears.  Might be the last time Shannyn is seen in public with me:). 

Not to mention the fact that my daughter likes to stow-away with her in elevators that get stuck.

The best part of our visit for certain moms though was donating cash for a good cause.  I'm not sure what the cause was but when you donated the cash (even small amounts will do) you got to pick a Willy Wonka candy and somewhere in that wheelbarrow of candy was one with a GOLDEN TICKET in it (good for a free stay at the Marriott).  We bought a lot of candy. But no Golden Ticket.

Where on earth is Mary when we need her?

Golden Ticket or not, it was a sweet and delightfully fun day!

Girls vs Boys Gingerbread Style

 The Girls. Organizing. Designing. Calculating.

 The Boys. All Hands on Deck. Go for It.

 Love him working from home and getting in on the action.

 Working a little window magic.

 One of the houses (the most expensive one, mind you) wouldn't stay together. So instead of just bagging it, I had to make my no-fail sugar glue to fix it.  And let me tell you that stuff is hot. Jamie came over to lend a hand and this almighty blister on her finger is proof of just how hot that stuff was. 

And yes, I do believe that one finger salute is for me and my sticky hot glue idea.

 Those houses turned out so good!! 

Especially the one on the left.

Yes that burn was so worth it.

 Aunt Ashley, thanks for this wonderful box, which made for a great sled.

We have to improvise here.

It was a wheeee kind of day.