Christmas Eve family photos

I wanted to share our family photos from our family Christmas celebrations (Christmas Eve) and my side of the family Christmas celebrations (Christmas Day). I blogged about our Christmas festivities (click here), and you can read about it, if you would like. Both days were great, but (as usual) my only regret is that I didn't take very many photos. I really need to get better about taking photos. Moments pass by and the kids grow up so fast!

Here is a glimpse of our morning on Christmas Eve.Caleb was really into the gift opening! He was very excited to get Mickey's Speedway Race track!

Madelyn was so excited about her Elmo, she just giggled and kissed him. Of coarse, she said, "Cute!" then, she did more giggling!
Nathaniel loves his Pokemon cards. The pants he has on are from my parents. He loves flannel PJ bottoms! It was fun watching Madelyn open gifts this year. She got excited about tearing off the paper.
Now, here is a glimpse into our Christmas Day celebrations over at my brother and sister-in-law's house for my side Christmas get-together.
These girls are three of my nieces reading about the real "Christmas story" from the Bible. This is a yearly tradition. It is fun to have the nieces and nephews read the story, it used to be one of us adults.
Madelyn was having fun listening to the story of the birth of baby Jesus.
After the Bible reading, it was gift giving and opening. With all those niece and nephews, the whole process can be overwhelming. They all sure had fun, though.
The little girl in blue had Madelyn's name for Christmas, and she was so excited to give Madelyn her heart-felt gift. She wrapped up her Dora Doll house and accessories. It was a gently used gift, and my sister was wondering if that was ok with me. I am totally fine with "recycling" gifts. The kiddos don't mind if it is in a new box, or played with...it is still "new" to them!
Madelyn was very excited to get a doll house. She has played with it every day since she got it for Christmas. Her cousin picked a great gift to give!
After the gift exchange/opening, Terry crashed on the couch.
This is a picture of my oldest nieces, and one nephew. For the longest time I used to tell my oldest nephew that he was my favorite nephew....then, my sister's started having boys, so now I can't say that anymore. He sure holds his own in the group of all those girls, though! The ones on his lap are his two sisters.
Caleb had a lot of fun playing with this cousin, even though he is almost 5 years older than Caleb.
Here's the little girls having fun playing with the dollies. It is so cute seeing Madelyn loving playing with the bigger girls! The one in pink is one year older than her, and the one in the blue dress is 3 years older than her. (She is the one who gave Maddie the doll house).

That was a sneak peek into our family celebrations! I wish I had more pictures to share!