Oh my goodness!
Andrew and I declared this the best Christmas ever :).
Family, food, games, prizes, three kids, pajamas all day and the Pie Face game…really, it can’t get more merry than that!
Here are a gazillion pictures from our Christmas. I hope yours was wonderful too!
On Tuesday night, we went to Highland Park and enjoyed dinner and lights.
It doesn’t get more festive than Highland Park over the holidays.
On Wednesday night, we had our annual Christmas Eve Eve celebration in Southlake with my parents, Catherine and Sean. Love my family.
These six :).
And then on Christmas Eve, it was our year to host, so at 2:00 my side of the family showed up for games, food, fun and presents.
We love playing games! First up, Heads Up!
Sisters 🙂
We played girls verses boys. The girls won by one point.
Smith wasn’t feeling well on Christmas Eve, so he hung out with Papa Jay instead of playing with the girls (there are 4 girls and one boy in our family).
The “act it out” category is our favorite!
Okay, so after a while, we couldn’t find Smith. I didn’t panic at first because my kids have never opened a door and gone outside without asking first, so I assumed he was in the house. So Andrew started looking…and then my dad started…and then Brandon started…and then Bryan…and then Sean…and Austin and then, we were all looking and shouting his name but we could not find him anywhere. And then…
…we found him sound asleep under the dining room table. What in the world?! There were over 20 of us running around shouting his name and he was sleeping on the chairs the entire time. I mean…this kid is a mess! He didn’t feel well the entire day, and I told him not to go in his room because that’s where Sean and Catherine were staying, so I guess he thought the next best place to nap was here?!
My cousin Brooke 🙂
I love this picture. My people all playing games and enjoying Christmas Eve. I’m in the background talking to Ken (my Grandmother’s hubby a.k.a. Papaw to my kids)…so much love.
The parents-to-be assembled some baby toys for practice ;).
My dad photobombed Austin and Brooke.
Chaos and Catherine 😉
We played Andrea’s 12 Games of Christmas and it was so much fun!
My parents in their festive tees ;).
We may look serious…
…but that’s because we like to kick butt when we play games!
Getting four girls to look at the camera and smile is pretty much impossible. Kensington (7), Paisley (5), Ashby (3), Penley (1).
Sean gave Smith Pie Face…and it backfired on him!
We had so much fun playing this game!
My grandmother is such a good sport :)!
Some people went home that night, some people stayed the night. Here are my three next to their cookies and milk for Santa.
And then the next morning…she got her car…and that’s all she needed. This girl was SO HAPPY!
I love how they dressed for the occasion :).
Sean and Catherine gave him this straw, which of course, he needed to try out with breakfast!
They snuggled for a minute before we resumed present opening.
Her first Christmas was a hit!
Loved my paper from Sean and Catherine :).
Kensington made me two ornaments at school and had them wrapped under the tree for me.
Oh no! A fox ate Ashby!
And because we love to inflict pain on each other…round two of Pie Face on Christmas Day.
Around 3:30, everyone left and then my family of five watched Christmas movies and ate tacos. It was the perfect way to end our Christmas.
Now, I feel like I should say this. We had a great Christmas and feel very blessed. That being said, like so many of you out there, our family has had our share of hard Christmases too. Divorce, cancer, death…these things have all marked our family. For those of you who had a rough week last week, I’m so sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with you today and going into 2016. Christmas brings out the most joy or the most sorrow in our lives.
I’m thankful for these people I call my family…who I’ve experienced both the joy and the sorrow with through the years. I love them all so much.
On my foodie blog today…
xo
Happylife38 says
I don't think I could love a series of pictures more!! What a happy, fun, and loving scene!!
Kjlb37 says
Love seeing the family Christmas pictures. Looks like a wonderful time was had by all. Thanks for sharing!
Narci says
What a fun time!! I am so glad you had such an awesome Christmas!! Love you!! Xoxo
kimm atwood says
Loved seeing all your Christmas pictures ! Happyonday !!!
Dustie Day says
Loved this post and sharing in your wonderful Christmas! All of those games, well they make me smile! Where is your garland from on your fireplace? It's so full and beautiful!
Sarah Kuykendall says
What a fun, well-dressed family! I've gotta buy that Pie Face game for my kiddos. I'm dying to know what Sean and Catherine gave you in that cute wrapping!
Elizabeth says
It looks like y'all had a wonderful Christmas!! 🙂
Andrea K says
Smith sleeping under the dining room table & Granny playing pie face….two fun memories right there. Your Christmas looked very blessed this year!
Sara Harris says
Love Sean's Seahawk shirt! I am originally from Seattle (now living in South Carolina) and went to WSU, Catherine's alma mater (although several years before her!)
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
Such a fun post! Love all your different games! We played Quick Cups and Sorry about 23,000 times each!
Briana Runde says
What a wonderful Christmas you all had! Pie Face appears to be the game of the year; how fun!!
Elise @ Cheers Yall says
So love and admire the way y'all love each other! Family & faith…and GAMES! The best Christmas 🙂
Natalie McKinney says
Love so many things about these pictures! I really need to get that pie face game for my nephews! Those sleeping bags look so cozy as well! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Beautifully Seaside // Formerly Chic Coastal Living says
Love that pie in the face game! My cousins played it too and had a blast! I need to go buy one to play for New Years! Looks like you had a great time! Merry Christmas to my sweet friend! XOXOXO
Tracy says
Looks like a wonderful time! What a blessing it must be to have so many family members close by! Love seeing the pictures. Thanks for sharing!
Kristin says
You decorate your home so lovely for the holidays! Looks like it was a wonderful Christmas! I had contemplated getting my nephew that pie in the face game but I don't think his parents would have been happy. HAHA!
Ramona says
I have such a huge smile on my face from reading this post. What fun photos. Merry Christmas.
kelly says
Smith sleeping on the chairs is hysterical! He's the cutest boy ever! Love your Christmas pics! Happy 4th day of Christmas to y'all! Keep the celebration going!
Kathy Cohen says
Where'd you get the darling sleeping bags?
Megan says
Merry Christmas!!!! Looks like such a fun celebration!!!! And I loved seeing Ashby enjoy it so much!!!
Amanda says
What a wonderful Christmas!! Love all the big smiles on everyone's faces!
M&M FASHION BITES says
Cute photos 🙂
BLOG M&MFASHIONBITES : http://mmfashionbites.blogspot.gr/
Maria V.
Paula says
Such a lovely Christmas! All about & surrounded by family! Pretty wonderful!
Shannon says
Looks so fun! Love all the games you guys played and the kids looked so happy. Thank you so much for adding in the last paragraph reminding me that others have bad Christmas'. This year was the first time we've ever had to deal with a loss on Christmas day and although the kids were thankfully not affected and we did our best not to let them feel our sorrow it was hard for me because Christmas has always been my favorite and to have it go by and not have it feel like 'the most wonderful time of the year' has been rough! It's always nice to know that unfortunately it happens to other people and that hopefully next year will be a good one! Happy New Year Shay 🙂
Briana Lee says
You have the cutest family! 🙂
Briana
http://youngsophisticate.com
Jenny says
I love all the pictures! You can see that you all had a great time! 🙂
Mary Dollar says
And I love that we have the same Christmas Stockings as yours from Pottery Barn Kids!!! Smith sleeping on the dining chairs…bless his heart.
Cassie {Hi Sugarplum} says
I'm hoping you're still open to the idea of adoption, because I need to be part of your family next year!! xo Seriously, how do I swing an invite???
Janet says
Oh my goodness, Sean's shirt Christmas morning. Loved it!
The Nelson Happenings says
Wonderful pictures of such a fun fun time !!!! The PIE game is so much fun ! The sleeping bags for the three kids are gorgeous !
Sarah Alarcon says
Such a fun Christmas! Your children are blessed. I love the sleeping bags! Where are they from?
Mix and Match Mama says
Pottery Barn Kids!
Sarah Alarcon says
Thank you 🙂
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
Love that y'all played Heads Up on the phone–we just got the actual gamer version of it so no more phone for us!
Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts
Paula says
Shay, I know you typically do a monthly book review, which I love and hope you continue! 🙂
Would you consider a "Book Club" on line. Tell us in January what to read and we decuss in February, then continue monthly? Could be fun to have an on going dialog about a specific book. 🙂
EdyeNicolesMakeup says
Heads up is such a fun game! It looks like you had a wonderful Christmas! Happy New Year to you and your family <3
dresselfamily.blogspot.com says
Oh I love it whst a fun time. I'm so grateful for family, faith, food,friends.. we are do blessed.
And for the love, can Han 4th be here for Bens season!!!lol
Aubrey says
Cute! Love this glimpse of your Christmas fun!
Jeanie says
Your Christmas looks SO FUN!!
Tiffany Bagalini says
What a blessed Christmas. I think I need to get pie face to play with my family on New Years Eve!
Lynn {A Taste of Country} says
Looks like such a fun and cozy Christmas! Did your family attend any church services though?
Mix and Match Mama says
Sure! Throughout the holiday season, we attended many! On Christmas Eve we didn't, but we most definitely did (and do) often.
Bethany Bedford says
Around this time a year ago I was first introduced to your blog, no I'm an avid reader and have truly enjoyed reading your posts this last year. Thank you for sharing your family and journey with all of us! I hope you have a blessed new year, and may 2016 be just a little less hectic but still as amazing. Much love and God's blessings to your entire family!
marisa/peoniesandpuppydogtails says
You are so sweet. I love your heart. I read your blog every weekday morning and you keep me inspired! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your adorable family of 5!
Elizabeth Birenbaum says
That Pie Face game!!! My niece got it for Christmas too and we played it on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as well. SO MUCH FUN. I swear it never gets old to get pied or see someone get pied in the face!
Angela Ellingson says
That was so fun to look through! What an incredible, FUN family! You are blessed, girl!
Unknown says
I love that sean wore Seahawks shirt. Great job Catherine! ♡♡♡♡
ProudAuntKaren says
Question… What was in your gift from Sean and Catherine?? I love the packaging too!!! Is it too nosy to ask?! Maybe an even better question is — was there a stand-out present you got this year?
Vicki Leuck says
This was more fun than reading a book this morning. Thanks for sharing!!! Beautiful!