Christmas Day was a fabulous day! It was so fun being with my family this year..after spending last year with my Northern Family in Nunavut.  

My nephews did the big job of delivering the presents to everyone.  We decided to deliver all the gifts to everyone, then go from youngest to oldest opening one present at a time.  It was a great way to do the gift opening…but did take a bit more time than we thought! 

I can’t believe how BIG my nephews have gotten…at 8 1/2 and 6 1/2…they aren’t little babies/ little kids anymore–when did they grow up!? 

There were a few awesome surprises that were opened!  Some were ‘gag’ gifts…and others were just really cool and thoughtful gifts. (I *might* have gifted a HUGE metal star to John and Kat…because they just ‘love’ them, and think that every house in Lindsay needs one.  There were discussions that said Blue Metal Star would have to rotate around the family…having a minimum of a 3month stay at each family members house before it is ‘re-gifted’!) Ahhhh i love starting new fun family traditions!

Santa brought everyone PJs…matching ones for my sis-in-laws and I! 

Another really cool gift was a ’12 days of Christmas’ gift…with 24 different Christmas movies (one kid & one adult movie for each day)…to enjoy as a family over the next days of the Christmas season.

After the presents were opened there was some serious lego building…and looking at the Photo Books I made for Mum and John & Kat of our trips we did together this year. 

I have a love-hate relationship with my mum’s kitchen…it’s just so small, limited work surfaces… I stuffed the turkey and got it in the oven..so my kitchen duty was early, and it was just me in there.  Then Jamie & Dana and John and sometimes my mum… joined in for doing the sides!  There was some serious fun going on in there—but also some seriously awesome cooking… but I haven’t heard my brothers laughing like that in years, kind of fun.  I returned to the kitchen on dish duty with Kat!

Yes, this is my crazy family…but love them to bits, even though sometimes we have differences of opinions…I wouldn’t trade anyone for another in this crazy bunch! 
I was introduced to a new grace at dinner…but really didn’t feel like putting up my ‘shark’ fin. 

I’ve always said I’m not a dog person at all. But I do love other peoples dogs (just don’t think I’ll ever get one of my own..) Gus is John and Kat’s baby… and was dressed up in a new Christmas sweater when he arrived! So cute.

Yesterday, my mum and I went to my Gramma and Bart’s house to bring them some Christmas gifts from our family.  (They spent Christmas day with my Aunt and Uncle!) It was great visiting with them…and catching up!  I didn’t take many photos…but have these of the gift John and Kat gave to them, it’s a pretty cool photo collage!

So that wraps up my Christmas happenings with my family…other than sleeping in and watching Christmas movies…all in all it’s been a fabulous Christmas!  I hope you all have had a fabulous time surrounded by those you love…doing the things you love to do.