Home For Christmas

Our second Christmas Day in our new home marks an annual tradition that we love - spending the day at home! The morning started early as the kids discovered Santa's delivery. Brooke and Clayton each got a bike, book and small toy. Lincoln received a firetruck that has capability of spraying water once the weather warms up.

Grandma Nancy, Grandpa Ken and Uncle Kenny stopped by late morning for gift opening. Lincoln's chair was a huge hit - he was SO proud of it and would squeal at the other kids if they attempted to sit in it.

Grandma Denyse & Grandpa Mark stopped over later in the day with gifts from Great Grandma, Grandpa, Aunts and Uncles.

I received an iPad from Mike - it was a huge hit with the kids.

It was such a nice low-key day at home.

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

A Stanley Christmas

On Christmas Eve we went to church for a candlelight service, and then headed to Grandpa Mark & Grandma Denyse's house for dinner and gift opening with Uncle Chris & Aunt Alicia.

Grandma Denyse & Lincoln

Uncle Chris & Grandpa Mark

A Kostanski Christmas

So what do you do when airfare is astronomical over Christmas?! You celebrate a week early, of course. We were so blessed to have the Kostanski side of the family in for a great Christmas celebration...just a bit early.

The weather was really cold, but the crew decided to go tubing at Sunburst anyhow. Other than that, we spent time just enjoying each other's company (oh, and a little bit of downtime while half the group recovered from food poisening...oops...apparently opening gifts before we put the leftovers away wasn't the best choice!)

Continuing Grandma Millie's tradition of making a cake and singing Happy Birthday to Jesus.

Lego Time with Great Grandpa Ted

Lincoln hanging out with Great Grandpa

Cousin Stephanie got lots of snuggle time!

Chef Brooke - Thanks Moree's for a fun gift.

Legos are for everyone

Kids gift opening session (round 1)

Oh Clayton!

Sisters

A Change-Pointe Christmas

Last night we had a wonderful evening with some of our closest friends from church. It was a delicious meal with great adult conversation. And since we're now outnumbered by our children...it was a nice change of pace for all of us!

WICKED!

Brooke & I met our best friends, Karen & Sammie Seiler, in Chicago to see the Broadway show Wicked. I had seen it twice when it was in Milwaukee and really thought Brooke would enjoy it too. Weather was bad...traffic was bad...but we made it in time for a girls' lunch and then off to the show. Our tickets were AWESOME - third row, center - way to go Miss Karen! The girls did great but were a bit disappointed to not see more of Dorothy. I love how cute they looked in their matching dresses and Wicked hats.

Waiting for the doors to open

After the show we met Miss Mary for dinner and ran into Santa Claus on our way there. It was a nice surprise for all of us.

And I had to tack on this picture....Brooke's first taxi ride.
(She survived...it was questionable six minutes for all of us!)

How to quickly find a tree

Just pick the coldest, windiest day of the season so far to go and cut down a Christmas tree and it's amazing how quickly the tree can be picked out and cut down! We have gone the day after Thanksgiving for a few years now to go pick out our Christmas tree. This year, our friends, the Seiler's, were in town for Thanksgiving and joined us for the event.

We've learned to measure before you leave the tree lot...

Mike decided that everyone needs to have cut a tree down at least once...thanks Mr. Tom for getting that job done!And I just LOVE this picture of my handsome husband...

Clayton and Sammie followed directions perfectly and "helped" by standing far away...

Did I mention is was COLD?! I gladly volunteered to take the "babies" back to the car to relieve their misery...

So after a quick trip to the tree lot, we enjoyed a yummy meal at McD's and enjoyed the rest of the day INSIDE.

Feasting with Friends and Family

Thanksgiving this year was so much fun with a full house.

Brooke and Clayton had fun helping get ready for the big day by making pumpkin pies.

It was a lot of good food prepared by many willing hands, but I think my favorite memory will be the "parade" that the kids put on for us. Brooke and Sammie...our creative engines...saw the Macy's Day Parade on TV and decided that we too needed to have a parade....they worked most of the day!

Miss Karen & Grandma Seiler supervising craft time

Making HATS...

Preparing strollers with balloons and streamers...
It was beautiful chaos!

Brooke, Clayton & Lincoln Stanley
Tommy, Sammie & Allie Seiler
Sarah & Micah Forness


Tommy, Sammie & Brooke

Did I mention good food?!

Family

Uncle Chris & Aunt Alicia

Grandpa Mark & Grandma Denyse

And friends...

Mr. Tom & Grandpa Seiler

Dan & Summer Forness

What an amazing God we have to give us SO much to be thankful for!