We spend Christmas this year in North Carolina at Tom and Alice's house. With Ben added to the mix, we now number 18! For the second time (the first being when I was pregnant with TJ), we drove. We left at 4 pm on Monday and arrived at 4 am. Other than missing some sleep, the timing was pretty good because all three of the boys settled in to sleep at night so we didn't have so stop so frequently. Alli and Micah arrived shortly before us and the Millers arrived later that day.
Frosting cookies with Grandma
All dressed up for Christmas Eve mass--Grandma and Grandpa and the 10 grandkids!
The Johnsons
The Millers
And us!
I couldn't wait to put this outfit on Ben--I bought it for Jojo and everyone loved the cap. The only difference is that Ben actually has hair, which is covered by the hat, and Jojo was still pretty bald when he was this age.
Grandma and Ben
Our annual tradition: making dumplings for Christmas Eve paprikash!
Another tradition, dating back to when Mary Beth was a baby--Tom reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.
Ben on the floor after all the presents were laid out. It's hard to see, but he has a reindeer hat on.
A small glimpse of the chaos that is Christmas morning.
Jojo flying his Hess spaceship. This gift was a huge hit!
TJ's spiderman sweatshirt
Ben getting some attention from his aunts
Corban loves legos! This was the first year that Thomas got little Legos, so he joined in the assembly fun after presents were unwrapped.
Cousin love in footy jammies!
Eli had matching jammies too.
Another favorite at Grandma and Grandpa's house--foosball
Grandma with the two youngest, Rachel and Ben
And Grandpa with the same two.
The "kids" table...we kept switching up who sat here--there were no great combinations, as somebody always felt left out. See Ben down in the corner? :)
Lauren loves holding babies!
Oh yeah, we were there too! Us on Christmas morning.
Great spot for a nap!
Grandma reading to the middle kids
One advantage to Christmas in NC is that it's usually warm enough to play outside. For our Michigan-raised kids, this is a treat--short sleeves in December!
TJ and Annie are great buddies. In fact, Annie is one of three girls Thomas plans to marry.
Ben hanging with Grandma
Enjoying hte swing
We try to play a football game every year
And we grilled hotdogs for lunch
Relaxing in the yard
The kids turned stumps into a table and stools
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