Buon Natale!

Christmas morning arrived at a reasonable hour in our household, for once.
In spite of hearing the kids up at the crack of dawn, they thankfully had enough sense to let mom and dad sleep in a little. I may have mentioned to them the night before that children who disturbed me would be getting coal in lieu of presents, and who knows...maybe they didn't want to test me?
  

In the afternoon we headed over to my parents place for a late lunch with the rest of my 9 siblings and their kids, plus some in- laws and their families.
There were tons of kids and tons of food.

It was so much fun getting these three little girls together again.

Cousin Alaia

Mikayla

Cousin Myah lives in Idaho so the girls don't get to hang out that often.

Mikayla wasn't quite sure what to make of cousin Myah's penchant for ear pulling though.

Or cousin Alaia's hair-do.

None the less, the girls did manage to have a great time... sharing, screaming, and just being way too cute together.

We made an attempt to get everyone together for a family picture.

One, two, three c h e e e s e....

and we were on our way.

It was so amazing to finally meet my sister Emily's new baby.

David Keith is every bit as cute in person!

Some babies were made just for kissing.

We spent the day eating, playing games, and talking: some of us more than others.

Me, my super cute sister Faith, and her okay husband.

Grandma and Luca

My more-than-okay husband.

The kids had so much fun playing outside all day.

 Gabe

Judah Biruk

 Kidus saw the other kids racing so off he went!

I LOVE the smile!

Unfortunately though, he didn't get more than a couple of yards before he bit the dust.
I think the hockey stick tripped him up, but you couldn't pry his new Christmas present away from him.

 Couple of hugs and kisses later and he was on his way once more.

 A beautiful day spent with loved ones...a Christmas to treasure!