blogging on Christmas day????!!!

Yup.

Christmas Eve with Anya....

She was fussing a little, and Gramma rocked her to sleep. I could have held her for hours. Ashley is an excellent mama, she takes such good care of little Anya....

Suri remembered Ashley from summertime. She went absolutely crazy when they arrived the other night.

My oldest child (Emily), and youngest, Camille. Emily and I are 19 years apart, Em and Cam are 22 years apart:)

The princesses in their gifts from Emily.

Kathryn, Miss Char, Evelyn in her new jammies, and Mirielle, who worked 12 hours last night and was ready for bed:) (Kathryn got a Surface tablet from Emily, Abigail, Aaron, and Mirielle)

Suri is just cute.

It wouldn't be Christmas without someone wrapping the cat.

Uncle Sam with baby Anya. Sam says having a baby in the house again reminds him of how cute babies are, he had forgotten how nice it is.

Mali is just in love with baby Anya.

My babies are getting too big, but not too big to cuddle with Mama on Christmas Eve.

I don't know why this tickled me so, Joseph separated the M&M's.

Abigail got a KitchenAid mixer, some of the older kids pitched in and we surprised her. She is a cookie baker and really wanted one. Paul and I got a gift certificate to go to a really nice restaurant. Paul brought me home a nice scarf and some chocolates from France, and I also got a movie, a travel mug, a silicone pot holder, and some warm mittens. The little girls got dolls, Jon got a remote control car and helicopter, the older girls got things like boots and coats and sneakers and sweatshirts and mugs and bracelets and sleepshirts. Aaron had to work today, so his presents are still stacked next to the tree. Ben and Ashley went to Ashley's dad's house, so there doesn't seem to be a day when everyone is here at once.

Emily and Evelyn are putting together the bookcase that Em and Mirielle bought for Ev.

Paul is checking out Kathryn's new computer.

Joseph and Sam are watching basketball.

Kathryn and Sonja are painting Camille's nails with the cool new polish Sonja got. Lots of kids doing lots of things.

I woke up bright and early this morning and could NOT fall back to sleep. Abigail spent the night, and slept in the livingroom with Sonja, Jonathan, Charlotte Claire, and Camille. We made cinnamon rolls and orange juice and sausage and eggs, a few pots of coffee, and opened presents.

It is a cozy day....a good day.