I'm Baaaaaackkkk!

So, I am exhausted and worn out, but I have survived yet another year of Christmas without losing my mind.

Our celebrations began on the 23rd, when we went to my dad's soon-to-be ex-wife's house for dinner and gifts. We had a yummy meal which was consistantly interrupted by my children running around, telling me and the hubs "NO!," and threats. Then, we all cuddled into the living room to exchange gifts and laughs.



My kids made out with a ton of fun stuff for the bath, which led Isa to demanding to take a bath.

We made our way home late and in true fashion, Isa fell asleep in the car, but Teo did not. He jibber jabbered the entire way.




Christmas Eve was up in the air until Thursday. After finding out that Jose would not have to work, we made plans to celebrate our Christmas that morning. So, we set out cookies and gave one to the kids. Teo surprised us when he demanded that he share his cookie with "Ho Ho Ho" (Santa, in case you couldn't figure that out!). He even gave Ho Ho Ho the sippy cup.




But right before going to bed, Teo decided that the cookie did sound good afterall, and took a quick snack break. And when we tucked the kids in on Thursday, Isa included a prayer for God to let Santa know that we needed him to come a day early.

And SURPRISE!!!, when we woke up, he had filled stockings, brought gifts, and even managed to munch the cookies and drink the milk.


However, the gifts were going to wait. As we have set into tradition (of sorts), we opened stockings first.


Then, we went out to enjoy a nice hearty breakfast.



When we returned, the gifts were still there and they were begging to be opened. Both kids made the most amazing faces during the present unwrapping and opening process!






















After that, we played for a bit, then cleaned for a bit, then my husband's family came over to celebrate. We had a yummy spread of American and Mexican food. From ham and mashed potatoes to pasole and tortilla chips. YUM! After eating, we gathered all the kids together (this is only 3 siblings worth....Jose has three more brothers who didn't attend) and passed out gifts. Wrapping paper exploded everywhere!





When they left, we packed up the kids and headed to my mom's house to spend the night. When we woke up, Santa had made another visit! At 9, my stepbrothers came and we ate breakfast. Then, as is tradition, we enjoyed the reading of the Christmas story. First, my niece, Jillian read, then my stepdad, Danny, read from the Bible.



And more presents.



When we left there, we went and spent the afternoon with my mom's family at my aunt's house. Another amazing meal, some gifts, then we went to visit my dad for a little while. The kids showed off a couple of gifts and we watched some MythBusters. My dad made nachos and we headed home, super late.

As usual, the kids fought going to sleep, and after tucking them in, Jose and I played wii (I am fairly good at hunting) and then settled in to watch a movie before going to bed.

Yesterday, our entire house overslept. It was 10 AM before the kids woke up and Jose got up with them, allowing me to sleep a little extra. Then, when we all got up and around, we cleaned up the house again and spent some time (again) playing. Daddy put together Teo's drumset.





Then, for our final celebration, we went to my dad's house for Christmas with his family last night. While there, I enjoyed spending time with my sister, Jill, and her friend, Jill...we ended up quite bored so, took some pics.








Did ya'll have a wonderfully chaotic Christmas as well?

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