The Bazydlo Family: January 2013

In the past, Nick and I have spent Christmas Eve with both sides of our families and Christmas Day with both sides of our families. This meant that we would have to make anywhere from 2 to 3 stops on each day. It was exhausting to say the least. We decided that would be way too much running with 2 kids, so we decided that we would spend Christmas Eve with my side of the family and Christmas Day with Nick's side of the family. This may have been one of the best decisions that we have ever made. We had the most enjoyable and relaxing Christmas ever!!!! It was wonderful and enjoyable.

On Christmas Eve we did not have to be at my Aunt Sherry and Uncle Bernie's house until 6:00pm. That gave us all day to just hang out at home, something that we don't do enough of. Jack and I started off the morning with baking some chocolate chip cookies for Santa. I never claimed to be a baker, so I am not ashamed to admit that my idea of baking was taking the cookie dough out of the wrapper and placing it on the cookie sheet. And lucky for me, Santa didn't seem to mind. Then I made a very delicious and easy bread pudding recipe that you make in the crock pot. It is always a big hit, and like I said, it is super easy. The rest of the day was spent watching A Christmas Story, Elf and Christmas Vacation over and over again while the kids played, I cleaned a little, played with the kids and even snuck in a quick nap. And before we knew it, the day was wrapping up and it was time to head to my Aunt's house.

My attempt at getting a picture of the kids together before we headed out. Teagan kept laughing uncontrollably, she thinks that Jack is the funniest person ever, it was pretty cute

In this picture Teagan is attempting to get her charm bracelet in her mouth, before we left the house she was actually successful at doing this. Thank God I looked over at her and noticed that part of it was hanging out of her mouth, I instantly stuck my finger in her mouth and took the bracelet out. She nearly swallowed it!!!

OK Mom, get her off of me, I have had enough

Since my mom's side of the family, there usually isn't a dull moment at any family event. I have very fond childhood memories of total chaos during Christmas when all of us would gather at my grandma's house and just rip through all of our presents when it was time to open. The joys of a large family. Now it is our children who are ripping through the presents.

Teagan and her Godmother Carla

All of the kids just LOVE Claire

Teagan was cracking herself up by looking at herself in the mirror that is on the wall behind the couch, then she would lay on the couch, pop back up to look in the mirror and start laughing again, it was too cute and too funny

Take #1

Take #2

Take #3

When we got home it was time to get ready for Santa

On Christmas morning we woke up to this.....

And since we didn't have to be at Nick's parents until 4:30, there was plenty of time for the kids to play with their new toys and plenty of time for more relaxation.

Jack and I even had time to decorate Nick's Birthday Cake

By 4:30 it was time to go to Nick's parents house. Nick and I pretty much didn't eat all day because we were saving room for the steak and lobster that we were going to indulge in. And of course the kids were more than spoiled with all of the presents they received. Jack and Teagan are two very lucky little kids.

Check out that face

Take 1

Take 2

Take 3

And just one more attempt....Take 4

Teagan was too busy to look at the camera because she was watching the cat

And then Marieda decided that she wanted to include Rocky the cat in the picture with the grandkids.....Check out Paul's face in this picture. As if it wasn't hard enough to get 4 kids and 2 adults to look and smile at the same time, but now we had to add the cat to the mix......oh boy