This Christmas felt like someone pressed the fast forward button. It was like I blinked and it was over. I hate to say it but I would like to get back to normal as soon as possible. The kids are still hyped up on sugar and the house still looks like a bomb went off in it. I look forward to going to church on Christmas Eve as a family. It is a guarantee that we’ll all be able to go, except that Wheaton Bible had times at 3, 5 and 7. 3:00 is at the tail end of when Gia naps (I did try to put her down earlier but she was having none of that) and if you have ever had to wake a sleeping toddler, well…you know that you pay dearly for it. 5:00 was cutting it close since my mom was having dinner on the table at 6:00 and Leo and I had to go back home to get the other car since we had to take two cars to my mom’s in order to get Gia’s gift home. Obviously 7:oo wasn’t going to work. So we didn’t end up going to church. I rationalized this in my head by telling myself that I would have ended up outside with Gia anyway so one more year and she’ll be ready to sit through it (or go into the childcare). Instead of going to church, we all watched the story of Ben Wilson. Nothing says “Merry Christmas” like watching the story of a high school basketball star getting killed before he could really shine. I had to reapply my make-up and pull myself together before we could leave.
We headed to my parents’ house for a lovely time with family that I don’t get to see very often. After 27 tries, we finally got a family picture:
Seriously…by the time we finally got a picture, we were all sweating and smiling was a chore.
Her favorite gift was from Nana and Papa. This kitchen is nicer than my kitchen.
I had a ton of problems with my camera. It was on the wrong setting so there is someone blurry in every picture.
One of my favorite memories from when I was little was the great talks I had with my uncles. It makes me happy that my kids are making the same memories.
My girly girls.
After wrapping and setting up the gifts (I don’t wrap Gia’s), it was 2:00am.
Gia’s. Her favorite was the Calico Critter House. I love when I know my kids so well.
This year the kids asked if their presents could all be under the tree instead of their own piles. Worked for me since some had more than others.
I took more videos than pictures because my camera wouldn’t cooperate and now I can’t get my videos to upload.
Christmas Day back at my parents’ house:
The oldest boy grandchild (Nico) with the youngest boy grandchild (Joey). I love this picture because it shows Nico’s sweet side.
This was just half the table of food. Ravioli, meatballs, sausage, pork roast, stuffed artichokes, shrimp scampi, and rolled eggplant were all on the menu.
My Gramps and me.
After dinner conversation.
I am about ready to turn in my $500 camera for a $70 point and shoot. I don’t have the time to really learn how to use it and my pictures are coming out hit or miss.
All in all, my favorite part of this holiday was having all of my kids with me and having Leo home. I am ready to stop eating cookies and candy canes and get back to a normal sleeping schedule (was I ever on one?). I am looking forward to the last year of a New Year’s Eve tradition. I am going to try to not let the rage of having a basketball tournament over the New Year’s holiday get to me (but I am totally boycotting as I have every single year that we’ve had one) and just enjoy that until they are in college, New Year’s Eve will be for family.
Have a great New Year’s celebration and I’ll see you all back after the holiday! Thanks again for reading and making me think my dream of being a published writer is not out of reach. I appreciate each and every one of you that takes the time to read and comment!
I am a stay at home mom, married to my college sweetheart, Leo. We have four kids, Nico, Tommy, Isabella and Gia. We have a son, Rocco that is an angel in Heaven.
I absolutely ADORE reading about your family! Do you think they would consider adopting me?
Sounds like the perfect Christmas…and I have no doubt that God understands why church did not work for you this year. 
I have to say that personally this was one of my favorite Christmases ever. Something about the ages of my kids made it perfect. That being said, I am counting the minutes until school is back in session and I can gut my house of Christmas chaos!-Ashley
thedoseofreality recently posted..Wrapping Up the Season
They would absolutely love adopting you! With your “tell it like it is” personality, you’d fit right in. I remember when my older kids were your kids ages and I totally agree, it was the best Christmas. It’s again one of those “lasts” that I think about. This was probably the last Christmas with Belle believing. I know I have many more with Gia believing but it’s not the same which kind of makes me sad. I am also counting the minutes. Not looking forward to finals with Nico, though.
LOVE your pictures, especially the family one. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Kathy. Can you see the sweat on all of our faces at trying to get the picture? Six people all having to keep their eyes open at the same time…well…you know…
{Kathy} It sounds like Christmas was great…..but it’s time for it to be over. I understand.
Mothering From Scratch recently posted..new year’s eve anxiety
All good things must come to an end, right?
Christmas is crazy, We are taking down the tree and decorations tomorrow and by we I mean me! I get with the holiday tournaments. For the past three years my son has had a Christmas hockey tournament. It’s just awful I don’t get the point.
Looks like you all had a great Christrmas, but like you I am ready to get back to “normal”.
Oh and I sometimes run into the same problems with my camera. So frustrating!
I absolutely HATE tournaments over holiday breaks! Why can’t the breaks be just that? A break?! The best part of getting back to “normal” is that I can have my sweet baby back because she’ll be back to napping. It’s been a little “hell-like”.
I love that picture of Nico with his little cousin – awwww!
Glad you had a good Christmas! Happy New Year!
Alison recently posted..Happy Holidays!
I adore that picture because it was so candid and captured the sweetest moment between cousins.
I do love reading about your family, and you have such a way with words. You know of my admiration of all this, right?
That said, I can’t stop looking at that picture of the meal spread.
And reading about it.
Eli@coachdaddy recently posted..Five For Friday: Go Ask Daddy About Tall Motorists, Candy Shells and Digestive Physics of Two-Headed Sea Serpents
You are so sweet! Thank you for your sweet words and now, after seeing the pictures of the meal, you’ll understand why dieting is so hard.
LOVE the pictures!! What a beautiful family and it looked like it was a beautiful Christmas! Enjoy your New Year’s Eve with your beloved family and CHEERS to another year full of lots of love and encouragement from your blog readers and friends!
Chris Carter recently posted..New Year Resolution 2013
Thanks, Chris! So glad you are here sharing and reading! Happy New Year to you!
wow! I’d love a kitchen like that as well! Lucky girl. And I hear you on the camera… I have the same issue. I really want to do cool stuff, but have no time to figure it out….
Alexa recently posted..From Our Family To Yours
The camera thing is so annoying. I bought a new battery for my point and shoot one and that is working better for now.
Looks like you had a wonderful Christmas and I love Gia’s kitchen. My little one got one last year from Santa and she still loves cooking for me! The pic of Nick with his baby cousin is adorable. I love when my boy, who is now 12 (gasp), plays or holds babies. It’s too cute. Your family pic is great. Wishing you a Happy New Year!!!
Thanks, Susi! Happy New Year to you, too! That picture of Nico and his cousin is one of my favorites from the year.
That family pic was worth all 27 tries! You got some great pics to capture Christmas, AnnMarie! Hope you guys have a wonderful New Year’s, tournament and all. Here’s to a great 2013!
Meredith recently posted..Those Crazy Partying Parents!
Thanks, Meredith. The pics were definitely not without some tears but I am so glad I got them. We did have a wonderful New Year’s and Tommy ended up coming in 1st place in his tournament. I agree…here’s to a great 2013!