"Mary Christmas 2011.........."

Mary Christmas 2011..
Christmas came way to fast. I wasn't excited. Or wanting to prepare for it. Knew work would be crazy and I wasn't going to have any more time or money than any other time of the year. But it was coming, so I needed to prepare!
And off we go.........shopping, wrapping, organizing, preparing, planning, cleaning, cooking, decorating, parties.....................and Christmas came and went just like I knew it would.
And here I sit at 10:30 pm on New Years Eve posting our Christmas festivities that happened a week ago! (I'm in my jammies right now, got all Christmas boxed up and put away and am ready for the New Year (in about and hour and a half!) We had a great Christmas. Lots of family get togethers.

Lots of food. I always take pride in my "bar".

I made the kids Roy Rogers. Fun and festive!

My girl is gorgeous as ever..........

This was the calm before the storm!

Let the shinannaghans begin......................

I was going thru some pics recently and found one almost exactly like this of our kids "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil (and an extra see no evil)! about 8 years ago. So funny. So we re-created it again (actually we told the kids to sit down and gave them directions! ha!) I need to post them side by side.........so cute.

So we decided it would be funny if we did it too.............(it's all about the pics with this family!)

Nicole and Brandi.

Grandma and her brood...............(and I already posted this pic! I'm getting tired and it's New Years Eve and I'm trying to watch Dick Clark's New Years Rockin' Eve and I haven't slept much in days.........and I'm texting my sister..........I'm too distracted!) ok.........focus............focus....

Donna..................what are you doing??????????

And the crazy begins.......................

"The family arrives..............."

I always look forward to seeing my family. My sisters. My nephews. Aunties. The grandmas and grandpas! Anyone that wants to join the party.
And when we get together................we are loud! Crazy. Maybe a little obnoxious. Did I say loud? Always shinnanaghans.........We always want to "intrude" in each others pictures........all of them! So Christmas is a great reason to get together and be silly.
And this year was no exception. Let's just compare it to..............a frat party.............(minus the college boys and the alcohol (maybe a little wine, but seriously we weren't "altered" much).........we are just naturally crazy.........and did I say loud?) We tend to not "filter" or be afraid to be ourselves (outsiders should be afraid............we are a crazy bunch).

And obviously our kids learned from the best..........cause they are just as loud and crazy....Hi mom!!!!!!!!

I think I counted 16 people at my house on Christmas eve. And we aren't shy about taking pictures. Lots of them. And we all try to get into each others pics. Because it's funny. And obnoxious. And fun! We had a blast and the kids enjoyed each other and all of the shinnanaghans.

This picture sums it up!

All the aunties, cousins, grandparents were all there!

We had some sisterly bonding........ (I made both my sisters a little book of "52 reasons why I was happy they are my sister". Blog/crafty post to follow sometime in the future.)

We look all sweet an innocent. But I think my couch got tipped over about 3 times..............(I may have done it once.............we were seeing how "nimble" we are in our old age and if our pants were stretchy enough!) One of the kids might have tipped it once too? Who knows. We had a lot of laughter and fun.

See................Tyler is creeping in on their picture...............ahahahahahahah............we taught them well..............(we have some good lookin kids!!) I love it when the cousins get together.

Tyler, Nicole, Drake and Gunner.

Sisterly love..............(that was dripping with a little sarcasm...........we were probably creeping on someone else's pic!)

Help me...............my family is crazy (but she volunteered to wear the reindeer antlers. Actually I think she took them from one of the aunties!)

Ahhhhhhhhhh haaaaaaaaa! We caught someone tipping over the couch. Or just climbing over it. What the heck are you doing sista?

Pure shinnanaghans............... (I think at some point during the evening we opened presents? we like to have fun and not have it be about the presents.............) But we do like to eat. We did pizza bar again. Frosting sugar cookies..........(yeah right). Tons of pics (that was kind of the entertainment)

I'm not really sure what was happening here?????!!!! WHAT'S HAPPENING? (I say that alot)

Ahhh........bonding with my bro-in-law. Hi Mark!

Drake and Nicole.

Gunner must have completed decorating a cookie! No one really decorated this year (meaning Donna and I). We were distracted by all the loud fun. And food.

So glad my mom made it to the party this year! We had a blast. And thanks for making all the sugar cookies and pizza dough (and helping me clean up the kitchen). (and our little party the next day!) and dad for making your "famous" frosting (famous since 1960!)

This kids are old enough they know to just humor us...........and go along with all the pics and antics.

LeRoy was kind of MIA most of the night. When I get together with my sisters and the kids...........we kind of get loud......(I think I have said that a few times already!)

Oh.............maybe a glass or 2 of wine was consumed. (but seriously, 1 or 2........we were just all wound up that night!) Busted!!!!!!!

Everyone stayed late. We ate alot. Laughed alot. Tons of pics.

But I still have alot to do! Help me santa! (oh..............that's me!)

"Time for bed.........Santa is coming...."

Time for bed...........and mommy is tired!!!!
Oh what a night! I always buy us all new jammies for Christmas eve. Yay for new jammies!

Now let's get to bed kiddo's................

Momma still has lots to do! And I'm ready for bed!

Stocking were hung (kinda) by the chimney with care. Santa gifts in place............

Now to bed for some blissful sleep.............

Yeah right!!!!!!!!!!!!! I seriously did.........not...........get.............one............minute...........of...........sleep............on...........Christmas Eve. Not joking or exaggrating! Don't know if I was wound up from the festivities? Or just still on overdrive from working so much........and planning.............and all the Christmas preparations????

Not a wink of sleep.........................................I should have started calling people to see who else was up in the middle of the night!!! ha!

"Christmas Day 2011"

Good morning sunshines!!
(well it was almost noon. I had to wake Tyler up at 11:00 am). When the kids were little they were up before dawn and now as teenagers you have to wake them up on Christmas morning! It was ok though. I showered and had my coffee and picked up a little before we started our Chirstmas morning festivities......... And when they get older...............they prefer that "santa" bring them money..............ha!

Mom and Dad came over. Was much quieter today than last night! Had a yummy dinner and later that day/evening we crashed my Aunt Sherris house for yet another family party! We had fun!

KayDee finally made it. Colton was really sick and him and Brandi stayed home. We missed them. KayDee didn't make it long after she ate. Ham, potatoes, rolls.........all the carbs that make you pass out!

We had a wonderful Christmas! A lot of work (but I'm the mom and that's my job!) And looking at pictures it all looks so effortless and fabulous........(a lot of work!!!!) But the memories are worth it. The kids should just wake up on Christmas day and have fond memories..........

Can't believe another Christmas has past. And a new year is here. The kids are growing up so fast and become so independent. And still act like brother and sister that don't like each other!

I really enjoyed my entire family. We had some great laughs. Bonding. Lots of silly pics. Memories! I love my family.............

"Happy 16th Birthday Gunner and Happy New Year!"

Happy New Year.
Happy 16th Birthday Gunner! (Gunner is one of my 2 favorite newphews)

Let my know ASAP when you get your drivers license (so I can warn other people!) kidding! Can't believe you are 16. I was there when you were born.............on New Years Eve.........When you are older it will be fun to celebrate ringing in the new year on your birthday.

And when you get old like your mom and I................we are just happy being home.........in our jammies..........eating pizza.............blogging (or Pinterest!)........hanging out with our families.....probably still in the computer at midnight...............or sleeping cause we decided to open some wine...............

Glad I got to see you today and at least give you a birthday hug! (maybe we will all go bowling on Monday?) Happy birthday!!!!!!!! Love ya............

"Buddy the Elf sighting........"

My younger sister KayDee.............has a Buddy the Elf costume................she thinks she is Buddy the Elf. She wears it to work.........usually only during the Christmas season.........but with her it's hard to say! Nicole is working at a kiosk in the mall this week. Her auntie dropped by to say Hi. In her elf costume. I'm sure neither one of them is embarrassed. ha! The wig is a new addition to the costume this year............Oh My Goodness.................The costume sometimes makes an appearance at Christmas parties. Or Christmas Day. Now I am informed a Santa suit has been purchased. Love it..............
And she can recite EVERY SINGLE WORD from the Elf movie.............I will have it playing on Christmas Eve..........Happy Holidays!