Christmas 2010

Christmas was just how I like it--busy running around to spend time with as many friends and family members as possible. We are so lucky to have so many wonderful people in our lives.

On Christmas Eve, we had an earlier dinner than usual at Dean's parents' house and went to the Christmas service at church. It was really nice to go as a family...I think we need to work that in every year. We went back to our house to play our "Greed" gift exchange game...I scored a super cute wine holder. We joked that our family must have some issues because there were more wine-related items than anything else. :)

Putting out milk and cookies for Santa before going to bed.
We didn't exactly have a wide selection of cookies at home and we didn't have time to make any, so Santa got fudge Oreos this year.
Stamm family shot

Gifts from Santa!
J.B.'s final appearance
I was so excited about Santa coming this year because Ayla seemed to be pretty in to it. When she woke up on Christmas morning, we brought her out to the living room so she could see what Santa brought her. She seemed to be in awe as she checked out the empty glass of milk and the crumbs left on the plate...later on, she asked if Santa needed some more. :) She went through all of her new stuff and pulled out all the random little things in her stocking. It was so fun to watch her!

After "Santa" gifts, we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa's for more presents. She was interested for a little bit and ended up having more fun helping Great Aunt Kathy hand out gifts instead.

She even stopped for a moment to give Grandpa a huge pile of teddy bears that Grandma has in the basement.

Opening a gift from Aunt Marla...there seems to be a theme lately...large things that make a lot of noise. Hmm...

Yep, definitely an ongoing theme...look at Marla's reaction as the wrapping paper came off. :)

Then we were off to meet my family at my brother's house for, again, more presents and then an early Christmas dinner with a few of my relatives and Surina's family. They had a full house!

Dean with our nieces and nephews...we're missing Bennett in this one.

Ayla checking out the winter wonderland that is my brother's house.

Love these next two...

My brother in the process of making enough mashed potatoes to feed 40 people...not sure what his hands are doing...kind of looks like he's doing a dance. :)

Bennett sharing one of his new toys with Ayla. He is always so sweet and patient with her. She barged in and wanted to play so Dean asked her to wait because Bennett was playing...he looked up and said, "It's okay, Ayla can play." Cute little man.

Ayla skipped her nap because by the time we got home, it was after 4:00...she actually does amazingly well when she doesn't nap. Besides the bags under her big brown eyes, you would never know. We opened the rest of our presents, just the three of us and relaxed for a bit before going back to Dean's parents' house for a little while.

When I put Ayla to bed that night, we snuggled and talked about our busy day...right before I set her down, she looked at me and whispered, "Merry Christmas, Mommy." I love her. What a perfect Christmas.

I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas as well this year filled with good times with family and friends!