Behind on my Thankfuls!

So, today before I go to bed, I would like to say that I am thankful for Christmas. Yes, I have just finished remodeling my blog for the Christmas theme, but you should just be thankful I have withheld the Christmas music! I LOVE Christmas. I love the giving, the loving, the food, the feeling, the singing, the family, etc. The list could go on and on. I am especially thankful for this Christmas because it is the first time in over 10 years that ALL of my family will be together! I am trying to control my excitement due to the many comments I have received from this family that I am setting myself up for disappointment because we have so many people in our family that not everybody will want to do the same things, blah blah blah. I just can't help it. I think it all started with spending my first Christmas away from the family last year. Honestly? It stunk. Not because I don't love Steven's family or enjoyed it, but I believe that I didn't realize how much my family meant to me. How much I, indeed, loved Christmas with MY family and MY traditions. What are my, our, traditions? I will list them for you, or probably more accurately for me. :)

• Christmas Eve Party with extended family consisting of, but not restricted to:
• An amazing dinner with Aunt Livi's fudge and sometimes popcorn balls
• Playing the chimes
• Singing carols
• With a solo or two from Sarah =P
• A family band
• The reading of the Christmas story from the Bible
• Sometimes a shortened version by Mike, but not as much anymore
• Playing games
• Christmas morning
• The eldest child would have to go downstairs to get the parents, so the children won't peek.
• The Christmas Stair Picture--oldest on top to the youngest at bottom (excluding babies)
• Going around and opening one present at a time
• Youngest to Oldest
• Getting to thank everybody one by one
• Getting to see the excitement on everybody's face
• Taking individual pictures with all our presents
• Good memories
• Christmas Breakfast
• Mom's good waffles and some yummy fruit
• Dad's EGGS! YUM!!!!! He makes them the best
• All in all, lots of laughs and smiles.

 My turn to open a present--remember, one present/person.

 Family pic around 1998? I say that because I see I have Wednesday trapped in my snare (aka the blanket).

 Photo-op 2005 We are all grown up! Won't be as crazy as this year when we have all 27 us! (+the parents who started this amazing madness!)

 This is the perfect picture because this is us waiting while everybody opens their one present until it's our glorious turn again. =P I miss Mikey Jo!

 Our photo-op after opening presents

 Again... I want to say game time during Christmas, but I don't know.

 I believe this was during Christmas Eve Party (I just got back from working). My mom can correct me because I know she knows everything--she's just smart like that. :)

 Quality Family Time

 Family Band

Now can you see why I can't wait? :)