did you have yourself a merry little christmas?

We started off our Christmas festivities with a quick trip down to visit Aunt Jessica and her brood.  We packed up the van, the kids, and the presents, and set out for Virginia.  Cammy came too, so it was a full family reunion!  Emily and Britton played dolls 99% of the time, and Barrett and Jason played with Jason's kitchen.  

We took the opportunity of all being together to exchange gifts.  The kids all loved their gifts, though everyone wanted to play with the hammer and ball set Jessica got for Barrett!

Jessica organized a cookie exchange for Sunday evening, so all the ladies got into the kitchen to bake cookies while the men went to a gun show (seriously, it does sound gender-cliche!).  We made sugar cookies and peanut butter kisses.

Barrett was scared of Willow at first, since he has never been around a big dog before.  But soon he was snuggling up to Willow and laying on her.  He also slipped her food from his plate!

Our cookie exchange!  I got to catch up with Jen, which is always a treat!

On Monday morning, we packed it up and headed back to Pennsylvania.  And Christmas morning, we were ready for some Santa action!  Britton was up at 6:30 am, but Barrett wasn't, and I didn't want to start opening presents without him.  We decided that Britton could go check out what Santa had brought, but we weren't opening anything until Barrett was up.

Britton was so excited to see the American Girl Samantha doll, and Barrett got every Little People toy under the sun!

Barrett did finally wake up, and we got to opening!  Barrett loved these sensory balls, because he throws everything he can get his hands on.  

This bird sings to you when you whistle at her.  The hubs and I took turns stealing this toy and trying it out, and it works!

The hubs got me some awesome gifts, including this wall plaque with our birthdays and wedding date. I immediately found a place for it on the bookcase.  Barrett decided to ride in his giant Tonko truck, and Britton made a red velvet cake in her Easy Bake Oven.

We had prime rib for Christmas Eve, but switched it up for Christmas dinner and Memaw made Mexican food.  As I was clearing off the table, I caught Barrett hooking up Boomer with some chips. Partners in crime!

Other than all of us taking turns being sick, we had a great Christmas!  It was great getting to see Jessica and her family and Cammy, then going home for Christmas with Memaw and PawPaw.  Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!