Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve at my parents house opening presents, eating yummy food, and enjoying eachother's company.  We usually have a tradition of lasagna that night, but in the past years its just been too crazy to add a big, formal meal on top of everything else.  So we backed up the lasagna meal to the night before and did it at my sister's house!

Here is our family at our Christmas dinner!

The Monks with Richard's parents

This family picture struggles, but we have a 9 day old (hence the spit up stain on Matt's shirt) and a two year old (with a questionable smile)...but hey, its the best we've got! Merry Christmas :)

The next morning (Christmas Eve) we headed to my parents.  They always have the kid's gifts unopened and set up, ready to play!  

My parents made these precious dress up boxes for the kids and filled them with tons of dress up items! Banks LOVES his and we dress up as pirates, batman, fireman, etc all the time now. 

Race car track...big hit!

Here come the littles! 

I know the picture is blurry but they ran in holding hands...does it get more precious?!?

Look Mommy! Race cars!

He barely left this little track the whole day, the kid loves some cars and trucks!

My mom also made this puppet stage, it was a big hit, too!  She has tons of really great puppets from her teaching days. The kids loved them!

Uncle Ryan got in on the truck action, too

Piggy puppet!

A break for some kid lunch!

Walker did this most of the day...zzzzzzz.....

But he didn't miss out on matching PJs! 

Banks loves his little baby brother

He went to the dress up box and came back as Larry...his favorite! 

Ryan and Olivia...next Christmas they will be married :)

Our BEST attempt at a picture of all four!  Four two and under is TROUBLE, but we love them and wouldn't have it any other way. 

The out take is even better, hehe!  

It was such a merry Christmas celebrated with my family.  These years of "littles" are more challenging, but they are so, so fun! 

Thankful for a wonderful, wonderful family to celebrate with!  We packed it up around 6 and headed home to get in bed so Santa could come!!!