It's Christmas Day!

It's Christmas Eve! Outside and in!

The village in the Guest room window seat.

...The Master bedroom...

...The dining room...

...The Foyer and "Grand" staircase...

...The Living room...

...The Family room...

...The back deck...

...The Playroom...

...The Study...

...The downstairs Family room...

On Christmas Eve we enjoy dinner and the George C. Scott "A Christmas Carol".

It's Christmas Day! After Church we opened our gifts. Dad with his gifts from Santa!

Me and my gifts from Santa!

Our gifts from neighbors and friends.

Our gifts from extended family.

Just had to show you the ornament Maureen made for me! I love her ornaments and have a tree specially for them! There are two others (of the many) she has made on the left and the right.

Gifts from our family...the DVD from Brent's family, the gift from Stephanie's family (a trip on May 12th with them to go see Brian Reagan's show at Touchan!), Jenny Phillip's CD and DVD that McKenna is featured in, and the 12 Days Of Christmas from Cheryl's family! Thank you all!

Cheryl and Abi put together the 12 Days of Christmas and it was so much fun! We started on the 14th and ended on Christmas Day. (Cheryl created the darling instructions!)

(1st Step)

Day 1: A partridge in a pear tree should have been a cinch, but they were both stolen by the famous Mr. Grinch. So, to keep this Christmas merry let's all make a deal...whenever you feel "grinchy" just take a Grinch Pill! (Green tic tacs)
Day 2: We had 2 Turtle Doves. They were ready to ship. Then Santa Claus came to Kenosha on a trip. He wanted to buy them. So, we made a trade. We gave him the birds. We're sending you the $2.00 he paid. (2 Dollar candy bars that we ate on the 15th!)

Day 3: A Hen lays eggs that can be fried so it's an honest mistake that we MADE...You can use this to buy some "french fries" that will be yummier than any eggs those hens could have laid! (McDonalds gift certificate)

Day 4:The Calling Birds run up quite a large bill. We weren't sure how that would make you feel. some say the art of "snail mail" is dead. But we're hoping you won't mind some "letters" instead. (The DVD "Letter To Juliet")

(2nd Step)

Day 5: We really wish we could have bought those 5 Golden Rings but they wee too pricey so we're sending some Snowman things! ("Snowman breath: Gum with snowman faces drawn on the plastic covering of each piece and "Snowman Poop" - Abi got a kick out of that one - white tic tacs)

Day 6: We found the 6 Geese laying down to sleep...they were listening to this music and it's now yours to keep! ("Shepherd Of My Soul" CD)

Day 7: We went to pick up the swans at the lake on Stephen's Lane, but instead we brought home the hot cocoa that tasted like Candy Cane! (2 packets of Stephen's Candy Cane Cocoa)

Day 8: We knew that the maids milk just wouldn't last, no matter the shipping: no matter how fast. So we had them make it into some "milk" chocolate bars. these would stay fresh no matter how far! (2 Hershey's milk chocolate bars)

3rd Step:

Day 9: The 9 Ladies Dancing put on quite a show. Their feet were so tired, so wouldn't you know...we're sending some socks for soothing your feet. They are comfy and cozy and all wrapped up neat. (a pair of red fluffy socks)

Day 10: We watched the Lords Leaping, they were leaping so high. It was kind of annoying - I'm not going to lie. So we thought you might rather have something that jumps but then stops...something that is yummy to eat after it pops! (2 bags of Homestyle popcorn)

Day 11: There is something about "pipers" that reminds us of the military - the ceremonies sometimes have pipes the bagpipers carry. So we thought thisgift would be a great "win"...you can decorate your favorite tie with this Navy pin! (A Navy tie tack that Dad loves!)

Day 12: The 12 Drummers were so fun to watch banging on their drums, but we thought you might like a drummer that's less loud and MORE yum! (A can of cashews)

Thanks to the Van Wagenen's! This was so much fun!