23....

Yes, that is how many people are in this photo!
My sweet friend Jenny asked if i would snap a few shots of her grandparents with all of their children and spouses, grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.  Whew!  I had so much fun and everyone did great, especially Grandma and Grandpa! 

Did i count right?

Even 23 people can try to be silly!

Grandpa and Grandpa with all of their children

....add in the spouses...

Here's what all of the spouses made...minus the two cute great grandchildren. :-)

My friend Jenny with her parents, brother and her own little family.

Riley.....yes, Jenny and Nate make really cute babies!

Gannon

A little fun with Grandpa and Grandma

Forgive me, my mind is slipping me and i cannot remember these adorable children's names.

Now this was a fun bunch....just wait and see!

And this is where it all began....

Santa is still magical.....

Oh friends, today was worth every bit of the 'lap rental fee' i paid to have the girls see Santa.  We speculated whether Grace still believed and she might have gone in not fully devoted, but surely left pondering....Hmmm....i think he might have been the real deal! 
The girls ask all the time if Santa is real and our response is, "If you believe, then he is real".  Then of course as they've gotten older, they realize there sure are a lot of different Santas around in various places this time of year.  Our answer is, "God is the only one who can be everywhere at once.  Santa sends his helpers around Christmastime to help him out and sometimes he does show up, but you'll never know when that is".  Fortunately, we've been to the same Santa at the mall for years now and Grace said a couple of visits ago, "I am sure he was the real Santa".  We asked why.  Her reply, "Because his belt has his name on it".  Duh....of course! :-)

Here's to still believing....today at least!
Merry CHRISTmas friends!

See that belt...that's the proof that this guy is real!

The beard cracks me up!
This Santa is smack-dab-on every single moment too!

Is this the best or what?
He's just asked Lily about her teeth and she just told him she pulled both of them out herself.

He's asking if she wants her two front teeth for Christmas. :-)

When the man summoned us for our photo retrieval, he called us, "Team Silver".  Love it!

What do you want for Christmas Lily?

Her reply, "I don't know....surprise me".  No joke friends!  She is too much!

He was surprised when this little peanut said she wanted a remote control car.

Didn't forget any of them.  Grace asked for a Hex-bug.

See that finger wagging....hopefully he was telling them to obey their Mamma. :-)

Santa asked for this group hug.
We LOVE you Santa!

It's a Christmas miracle!!!

This post is actually photos of my family!
Okay, true confessions here.  The kids are driving me nuts and we are only on day 4 of winter break!
But today, they redeemed themselves a little by letting me snap a few photos of them.  It was cold, i mean COLD and they whined and i yelled at asked them to just sit still and smile.  I know, i have the rest of you fooled that i am calm, cool and collected....but seriously, be glad you are not related to me when it comes time for me to take photos. :-)  Annie, could you hearing me yell at my youngins' from your house? 
All joking aside...or not...my kids, niece and nephew are pretty darn stinkin' cute!

Peek-a-boo...i see you!

Poor, poor Jacob...he looks like he is really suffering, doesnt' he?

Someone actually stopped me today to tell me all 5 of my children were adorably dressed for the holidays.
Yes, they are!

Are you dying? 
I am....she is just too pretty for words, even with her little brace face.

Yes, still dying....

And dying because this one has already put two nails in my coffin. :-)

Oh my...look at my niece...only 11!  She is lovely!

And the only man of the house during day and surviving quite well!

Matchy-matchy?
Not quite.  Actually different shirts and jeans but all the same color.
Snuck that one in. :-)

Love this little chocolate eyed beauty!

Bella's smirk says:  Yes, this is what i have to put up with all the time!

5...going on 25.  You know i am in for it!  LOVE her so much!

Oh do my kids know how to cut up!
Should've been all of their middle names.

We are jumping for joy to wish you a Merry CHRISTmas!
xoxo