Christmas with Russ's Side

Christmas has come and gone...and it was a memorable one for sure!  I love Christmas traditions and cherish family time.  This year, Millie Janalee added to the excitement for both sides of our family.  Christmas Eve is a full day for Russ and me.  We couldn't wait to share this special experience with our daughter.  And, let me add that I am so sad I have no pictures of Russ at his family Christmas.  He was behind the camera, and I guess I was too distracted to think about taking it from him.  I must do better!

Uncie Lee and Auntie Kristin gave Millie Janalee a super cute Christmas bubble for Christmas Eve, and Millie Janalee couldn't wait to wear it to Granmomma and Pop's house for Christmas!  She was so excited to see everyone again and play with all her cousins.

The first thing she wanted to do was show off her tricks...blow raspberries!  While family members filed into the house with hands full of beautifully wrapped gifts, Millie Janalee watched and observed this new thing called Christmas.

One of Millie Janalee's gifts wasn't wrapped, because her Aunt Jenny and family knew she may need something to keep her busy while the Christmas chaos commenced.  She LOVES her new exersaucer from Aunt Jenny, Uncle Jeff, Will, Seth, and Grace!  The younger cousins loved watching her play in it just as much as Millie Janalee enjoyed playing.  Ha!

This year, we did Christmas Eve lunch a little different than usual.  The sister-in-laws usually cook and fix food to bring for lunch, but this year us girls weren't feeling it.  Actually, I think it was more like we ran out of time and no one really cares what we eat.  So we ordered Mexican take-out!  Ha!  After the shock wore off, everyone was ready to give their order for Russ and Jimmy to go pick up.  Of course, they also made a stop by the gas station for Granmomma's fried chicken. 

Seth and Olivia

The cousins enjoyed playing and visiting while we waited on the food, and the sister-in-laws got some much needed chit chat in as well.  It was a yummy, relaxing lunch that was SUPER EASY to clean!  Now, that's more like it.

Jenny, Millie Janalee, me, and Roan

When everyone started finishing their yummy Mexican lunch, the cousins began passing out the gifts.  Our family has grown by one this year, and we had some special extra family members in attendance. So once the gifts were passed out...there was NO moving!  Ha!  Millie Janalee had to store her presents behind us on the couch.

Passing out the gifts

The kids are ready to open!

We always open our gifts the most efficient way.  Kids go first.  The adults watch, help, and take pictures of the children opening their gifts first.  It is so fun to watch these children open gifts!  They are all so appreciative and excited...squeals, smiles, and giggles are always present!  I love it!

Grace's hat that one of Jimmy and Roan's girls made her

Once the children open all their gifts, they gather them up and move them out!  This allows the adults room to move around, open gifts, and clean up wrapping paper and ribbons.  The kids don't mind, because they just begin opening the packaging and pulling out all their new toys!

Practical is the way to go for Granmomma!

Jimmy and Roan's children always make homemade gifts for everyone each year.  We were all so impressed by Clay's gift this year.  He has taught himself how to blacksmith.  I'm not even sure I wrote that sentence correctly...or if that is what it is called.  All I know is that it is amazing!  He made this knife for Pop all by himself!  It is a sharp knife with a beautifully crafted handle complete with a zig zag detail!  I wish I had a close up to attempt to do it justice.  It was the perfect gift for Pop!

Clay and Pop

The adults really take our time opening our gifts.  We talk, take breaks, look to see what everyone else is opening, and talk about gifts we gave.  It is a wonderful time when we are all together enjoying each other, giving to each other...without life interruptions.  It's a true family holiday.

I love this picture!  Roan's face is priceless!

I helped Millie Janalee open her gifts during the adult gift exchange.  She received some of the most fun toys!  She was so interested in everything!  Roan ordered all of Millie Janalee's gifts after her surgery...on medication.  Let's just say she had to put some back for Millie Janalee's birthday!  Ha!  I'm thinking Aunt Roan can order our gifts on medicine every year!  Haha!

Millie Janalee LOVES her very first tea set!

Julie made the sweetest doll for Millie Janalee!  Olivia and Leah made her one too.  Such treasures!

We all enjoyed laughing and "oooh"ing and "ahhh"ing over each other's gifts for the rest of the afternoon!  There are some practical gifts, perfect gifts, and fun gifts at every family Christmas, right?  We are no exception!

I gave Roan some fun running socks for her next race!  Ha!  The question is...will she actually wear them?

Jimmy made this frame for Jenny's family picture he took on their summer vacation.  Perfect!

And, everyone who reads my blog knows that it's not a party until someone wears a bow on their head!  It was a party!

"WHAT have I gotten myself into???"

 A Johnson Christmas Party!