Christmas Eve 2011

We had such a great Christmas this year! Every year I think it's amazing and couldn't get better. But, then it does! Having two kiddos around sure makes things even more exciting. Especially now that Jacob gets SO into everything and loves everything about it. It was a blast! Leading up to Christmas, we did so many fun things...I'll have to post some of them later. Badi was off work for the whole week leading up to Christmas and all of my siblings were in town and home. It was awesome!! We spent just about every day with everyone and got to do fun things like bowling, Gameworks, driving down to my brother's basketball game, going to Holiday in the Park at Six Flags and driving through Prairie Lights!! Aside from all of that, we had my family over for dinner several nights and stayed up late playing games, etc. So, so, so much fun! :)

A couple of years ago, we started a tradition of having all of our family over on Christmas Eve. Somewhere along the lines, we also decided to make it a big fajita/Mexican dinner versus the traditional turkey or ham. So, this year, we did it again! But, we added several people. My favorite. :) We had my family, Badi's parents, grandmother, younger sister, my brother's girlfriend Amy and her parents, then Badi's cousin and his wife. There were 18 of us!!! Definitely a house full, but, I wouldn't have changed a thing. I love having everyone over and always - the more the merrier!

To kick off Christmas Eve, my Dad followed his tradition of dressing up as Santa to visit our house. Last year, Jacob got slightly freaked out and I had to sit with him. This year he was BEYOND excited. When "Santa" rang our doorbell to come see him, he was running around the house and screaming "Santa! Santa! Santaaaaaa!!"

Telling Santa: "I was a good boy! I want a train set with Thomas, Percy, James, Spencer, Rosie, Hiro and Thomas's friends!!!" Ha, not even kidding.

We had so many people over for dinner on Christmas Eve, we had to split up between rooms. This must have been the "kids table". :)

My parents and Amy's parents!

Badi's grandmother, sister and Jacob.

Me and Nika! She is due in about a month with her first baby. Can't wait to meet Isabella!!!! :)

Some of the girls!

Some of the guys!

Villagomez family!

Lastly, we let Jacob open a gift on Christmas Eve. So, we let Noah do the same. Thank you so much Sue Sue and Hesch family for Jacob and Noah's sweet gifts. They're perfect!! :)

Noah's gift from our sweet neighbors. :)

Overall, it was a huge success. So glad we could have so much family over and enjoy another Christmas Eve with everyone. Next up, Christmas Day fun! :)