It's About Time!

Here is my official Christmas/New Year's post.

It's about time, right?

Let's get started.

One of the many perks of being a teacher

is having 2 whole weeks off work to spend with my family during Christmas.

Prior to the big day,

most of our time was spent buying last minute gifts, sleeping late,

doing a craft or two

and hanging out.

My kind of winter break.

Ryan and I didn't have our boys for Christmas Eve this year,

so we spent the evening with Carol at one of our all time favorite places to eat with Ed and Carol.

Definitely a great time but would been perfect if Ed could have been with us.

Ryan and I got up the next morning and opened presents together in front of the fire.

Don't gag, but it was really romantic

and helped with the sting of our children not being with us.

Next, we picked up my boys and Carol

and drove out to my parents to celebrate Christmas with my whole family.

There are always tons of gifts!

And my mother always has their house decked beyond greatness.

She is so incredibly talented.

The cousins always have such a great time together!

Can you tell my boys love having their picture taken?

It gets a little crazy when the kids start opening up their presents.

I managed to sneak a quick pic with my hubby.

Now, getting one with the whole family is another story

because I don't think they stayed still longer than 5 seconds.

Melts my heart watching Ryan with our nieces.

They love Uncle Ryan. =)

Next on the list was Christmas at home with my boys.

Carter is the only one left, for the most part, that still believes, so watching him is still so much fun.

He was so excited about getting a fishtank for his betta he named, Eddie.

So excited!

Carter and his Razorback pillow pet.

That thing was a beating to wrap.

Preston asked for a PS3 and a Kindle Fire this year.

His father and I split the list, so he could have both.

He's already reading Hunger Games on the Kindle.

Makes a mama proud.

Yes, Austin was present on Christmas day but isn't much on letting me take his picture these days.

Teenagers.

On to the day after Christmas.

Trysten arrives, and we celebrate with our whole little crew together.

It's finally T's turn!

 Later that evening,

we went over to Carol's to hang out and let the boys open their gifts

from Grandma, and we can't forget

The Soladay Family Scavenger Hunt.

Ryan and I helped Carol put it together this year.

It wasn't the same without Pop...

The boys read their clues

 And searched high and low, until they found the surprise.

A 22 inch touch screen computer!

I think I'm enjoying it as much as they are!

Thanks, Grandma!

 We love you!

Last, but certainly not least, New Year's Eve!

My parents graciously hosted a grand kids sleepover on New Year's Eve!!!

The kids were ecstatic and can't wait to do it again next year!

 The grandkids brought their stuff:

My mother, again, had the house ready to go!

The snack bar:

Some games:

(Not pictured....the countless number of Nerf guns and bullets)

The table:

(Complete with blowers which my parents let the kids blow, scream and go wild with at midnight!)

They had an absolute blast,

as did Ryan and I on our kid-free New Year's Eve.

We arrived at my parents around 1:00 PM the next day

to find a house full of crazy kids and 2 VERY tired grandparents!

Everyone came together for lunch, complete with black eyed peas....of course!

Trysten with my neices.

Makes me smile.

 Alexis loves my grandmother's cane.

Go figure.

She scouts it out every time.

My brother made some bloody marys

Great way to start the year!

Thanks for a wonderful New Year's, Mimi and Grandaddy!

We love you!!!!

To round out the Christmas break,

Ryan made steamed lobster and grilled some steaks

for the whole fam the night before the boys went back to school.

Yum.

Now, that's what I call 2 weeks of fun.

Glad it only took me a month to put this post together.

Have a great, my friends!!