Oh my.
Where to begin.
Christmas 2010 was crazy.
In a really, really good way.
All the wrapping and shopping for nine kiddos?
Oh, so worth it in the end.
For moments like these.
The Pillow Pets – “It’s a pillow, it’s a pet… it’s a Pillow Pet!” has been an all too familiar chorus around here for months – were a huge hit.
Did I mention they loved the Pillow Pets?
A whole lot?
Unfortunately, I didn’t think that the older-than-7 crowd was going to be placated by a Pillow Pet.
An NCAA football….
and a “Dangerous Book for Boys” made for some smiles.
And although he looks like a deer in headlights here, Zach was pretty happy with his new headphones.
And a little Bath and Body works goes a long way with my sweet Tori.
Of course, the kidlets did get a few other things… besides the Pillow Pets.
Amazingly similar to the things they loved so much last Christmas.
And while one person opened (we take turns around here) a few of the onlookers found themselves a surprisingly comfortable way…
to watch all the action.
A few more rounds of present opening…
a Zhu Zhu pet…
and a pink electric guitar later…
we were done.
Except for the finale.
Our precious baby Vivienne, who was celebrating her very first Christmas with us, was in for a surprise.
She’d been asking for a bike for months.
Suppose she thinks she’s too big for her tricycle.
And this Footcycle?
Made her smile big.
A few customary Christmas shots with our oldest kiddos,
who aren’t around all the time, were in order.
And then one of the entire crew.
Having all my babies at home with me this Christmas?
Well, there just aren’t words adequate to contain the joy that brings to this old mama’s heart.
Merry Christmas Stef – too all ya'll from all of us!
hugs – aus and co.
Stefanie…I love to see all of your kiddos home. I know your heart overflows with love for each and every one of them. Thank you for being such a good Christian role model for us Moms out here. Merry Christmas and a blessed new year to your whole gang:)
Look at all those beautiful, smiling faces!! Love it!!
By the way…"ginger peachy" never made it out of our apartment!! 😉
Love seeing all of you together for Christmas!!!
And pillow pets were quite the hit here too!;)
Merry Christmas, I'm quite sure 2011 will be more than wonderful for you all.
Happy Holidays, Stefanie! Many blessings for 2011!
Merry Christmas to your beautiful family! What wonderful photos.
Ah yes, the pillow pets were big around here to! Santa brought the Hippo and the Penquin! Looks like you all had a great Christmas!!!!
Was that Jelly Belly Soda???? I totally want some!
Merry Christmas to y'all! Can't wait to see Poppy in the family picture next year!
HOW FUN!!!! Hope you are relaxing today!
Those pillow pets really are special, aren't they? I love that the velcro has a cover so that when they're open, they can't get all gunked up with lint, dog hairs, etc.
Looks like you had a great day!
Happy New Year,
Ruby
Look at all of those sweet smiling faces! Looks like everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Have a wonderful New Year!
Gin =)
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Stefanie! Here's hoping Poppy can join you all VERY soon!
Your kids are so beautiful! 🙂 So glad you had a wonderful Christmas and it's so awesome that they are ALL there! Woohoo! We Skyped Ryan into our Christmas present opening, so it was more bearable to have him gone.
I have to let you know about the awesome picture my mom gave our family this year for Christmas. We are adopting a little girl from the True Children's Home in Dongguan, Guangdong, China. We hope to travel this spring. Look on the Kelly B Rightsell website. It is a beautiful picture of a little girl flying a kite and a verse that says, "Fly to me little one and you will see, just how happy we can be." So Sweet! You always have great stuff on here and I just wanted to share! Catherine
Looks like y'all had a very Merry Christmas!
You have a beautiful family and it looks like an awesome Christmas! Merry Christmas!
This is my first time participating in this challenge, and also my first visit to your blog! You have such happy, beautiful, children!! I loved browsing your posts and reading about adoption… very cool to see. Thanks for sharing your life with us!
Merry Christmas! 🙂
The Unicorn Pillowpet was high on the list around here too!
Really such a beautiful family! Merry Christmas to you all 🙂
What a great photo of all your beautiful kiddos!
Merry Christmas!!!!
Pillow Pets were HUGE at our house too! WHO would know?
Merry Christmas! Looks like a great day!
What a lovely Christmas! The adorable smiles are endless at your house and I just love to look at them!!
Love to see all your kiddos together!! So adorable. When did Zach get so grown up and handsome?!?! Tell Miss Sophie that Addy has the exact same pillow pet. Our boys both got monkey P.P's for Christmas…those advertisers must be on to something with that annoying song. Makes people go out and buy them!
So nice to see your kids happy- GOD BLESS!
Sherman Unkefer
Just beautiful! We got a pillow pet, Zhu Zhu pet here too. Last night I got a text of Em with her present from her grandparents; a 5 piece drum set! Bring Isabelle over and we'll jam!
I'm such a sap. I don't even really know you all and I totally teared up looking thru the pics of your holidays together. Wahhhhh. Big ugly cry – love that there is just pure joy and love shining thru everyone's eyes. Poppy is in for such a lovely surprise in you all! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Merry merry Christmas!! Looks so fun and magical, and LOVE the shot of the whole crew. We didn't even get a family shot this holiday (dang it!), maybe we'll have to take a New Yearish one. 🙂