Christmas at Nana and Pops'

The Christmas morning setup.  Clockwise from upper left: Santa's note to the cousins who spent the night at Nana and Pops', the tree and presents (notice Brooklyn peeking out from the wagon), and Brooklyn scoping out what Santa brought from upstairs.

Christmas morning at my parents house Brooklyn was the first one up! Two of my three sisters and their kids and spouses spent the night there too.  Every one else got up and we headed down stairs to see what Santa had brought.  Santa had brought cousin Vona a wagon and play kitchen that Brooklyn had a blast playing with.  It was pretty much mayhem once everyone started opening their individual gifts but just the kind of atmosphere that you love and expect with so many kids and people.
With all of the individual gifts opened we played our $10 gift exchange game that we do every year.  I'm kind of a cheater and always buy something that I will want and I think the last two years I've ended up with it! Bea ended up with an ice cream maker that I am coveting after she made us homemade ice cream with it.
Once presents were opened we scrambled to get ready for family pictures.  All of my Grandma Larkin's children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were in town for Christmas so we got a huge family picture taken.  My sister Bea also got pictures of individual families which turned out so cute.

The wagon and playdough were a big hit with the kids.  Justin and Ashley found some brownie/cookie treat called Brookies and put them in Brooklyn's stocking. Brooklyn and cousin Vona were too cute giving each other love and hugs.

Ivan's brother, Daniel, came from Utah to spend Christmas with all of us. 

All the little boy cousins got ninja turtle costumes.

After pictures everybody came over to my parent's house for games and dinner.  We were so blessed this Christmas season to spend it with so much family and were reminded of the true meaning of Christmas.