Christmas 2010....The Finale...

This is a long post.
Just warning you.
It is the last of the Christmas pictures.
None of them have been edited....another warning.
AND.....are you ready for this one??

The majority of them were shot in Auto mode. (insert gasp here)
They say once you learn to shoot in manual mode, never go back to auto. Well, I wanted to enjoy myself and watch the girls open their gifts and not have to worry about settings.
On Thursday evening, we went to my sister's to celebrate with my family.

Mel got a horse pillow pet. She LOVES it, as you can see by her expression in this photo:)...
B got a Toy Story pinball game.
She LOVES it.
You can't tell that in this photo, but really she does.
She was upset with me because I wouldn't go get batteries for it right that second.


All the girls got makeup.
Here Taylor and Melaney are sharing some much needed makeup advice...

Beautiful Taylor!...

On Christmas Eve, we went to my Grandma C's for lunch then opened more gifts.

Mel was feeling a little sluggish at this point...

But perked up when she saw this was her gift!...

"Thank you Grandma C for the craft stuff!"...

Christmas Eve night was spent at Brad's grandparents.

The kids passed the time until gift giving by playing ball...

resting...

and loving on Aunt Lauren...

Then it was time for presents.

The kid corner can be a little chaotic at times;)...

B got this pretend school from Andy.

She saw it in a magazine a long time ago and said she liked it.

Andy has good tastes. She LOVES it.

It even has report cards!

Molly and B enjoyed playing with it...

Mel got a shopping cart.

Brad and Andy got to work assembling it.

They had a couple helpers....

Me playing with the kids...

When we got home, we set milk and cookies out for Santa.

Then read The Night Before Christmas.

The girls went to bed without a fight and awoke Christmas morning to find that Santa had been there while they were sleeping.

Mel got her horse.

She didn't want to get off of it to open gifts.

B got Sonic.

and Shine.

Mel decided to join in the opening frenzy once she saw how fun it was...

Santa brought each of the girls a Fur Real dog.

Since they each have one, there won't be any fights. Thank goodness.

B snuck a ride on Mel's horse...

while Mel tried out B's art desk...

Then we headed over to Brad's parents for more gifts...

This is a look of complete satisfaction...

This is a look of....I don't know what...

Oh no! Someone must have mistaken Mel for wrapping paper...

Brad and I got a new grill!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can you tell I am pretty excited about it?

I can't wait for that first warm day to try it out.

Who knows, I may not wait that long.:)

(yes, I am aware my outfit doesn't match. more on that subject later.)

My girls and me ( & Sonic)...

Ha Ha! Love Mel in this pic...

The rest of the afternoon was spent baking,

(B was helping Grandma Colleen make an apple pie. I left Grandma Colleen out of the photo.

Colleen, you can thank me later!)...

modeling all of our new clothes...Oh, wait that was just me!

I got a Colts jersey as a gift and a new "puffy" vest and wanted to wear both of them....so that is why I don't match. Don't worry, I haven't lost my fashion sense!;)

playing with our new toys...

and resting...

I hope y'all had a joyous Christmas filled with lots of love!

Thank you to everyone who made our Christmas special!