Christmas Time

We arrived in Seffner about 10pm on Christmas Eve. 

The other part of the family wasn't back quite yet from their Christmas Eve celebration across town.

So we set the self-timer on the new camera and got this great family picture. 

When Grandmommy and Granddaddy got home, they lit up the new expanded Christmas village.

One of the boys' favorite parts - besides the train of course! - was the amusement park in the corner. 

The boys in their new hoodies from Uncle David and Aunt Barbara posing

by the cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer. 

We also sprinkled "magic" reindeer food in the yard (oatmeal and glitter!)

The boys were so tired, they were asleep within 15 minutes of laying down for bed! 

Then the elves got to work putting out the presents. 

This year it was just an Allen Family Christmas exchange in the morning. 

So this was presents for 11 - 6 adults and 5 kids under 13. 

Parker woke up super early (around 4am) and wanted to know if he could open presents yet! 

We told him he had to hold off until at least 7am. 

He finally fell back asleep around 6 and woke up at 7:45am.

Santa appeared to have enjoyed his snack! 

First the boys got a chance to open their stockings. 

They were really excited about their new Angry Birds earbuds. 

Then Parker gave us the presents he had purchased from school and wrapped himself. 

Wesley got a notepad, a barrel of monkeys, tiny foam balls (like playdoh) 

and glow in the dark stick on dinosaurs for the ceiling. 

Daryl received a bookmark, two pens and a keychain. 

Debbie got a Mom coffee mug along with a pen and a bookmark too. 

And then Parker gave us one of the water bottle angel ornaments from BUMC 

that he had really decked out. 

Relaxing waiting for the cousins and breakfast. 

 Breakfast done and ready for the presents. 

Right after these pictures, they sang "Happy Birthday to Jesus" before we got into the presents. 

Granddaddy was "Santa" for the day in handing out presents. 

After all the presents were opened, it was time for the grownups to cook

while the kids played with their toys. 

Cousin Micah received a rocket kit and spent lots of time putting them together. 

He launched three throughout the morning/afternoon and 

everyone came out to see the launches. 

I went over to pick up my mom and drop off our presents at her house. 

One of the first things I noticed was this brace on her finger. 

At last Friday's office party, a co-worker accidentally slammed Grandma's finger in between two chairs. 

Turns out it is fractured! 

Two of Grandmommy's sisters and their families came over for lunch. This year Aunt Jani's clan traveled to North Carolina to see Uncle Dan's family.  But Aunt Norma and her family were down from North Carolina and staying with Aunt Diane's family in Sarasota. That added 10 more for lunch plus Daryl's Grannie and my mom, for a grand total of 23. 

After lunch, the kids (big and small) headed out into the yard to play dodgeball. 

This is "two" of the newest members of the family. Alicia is the fiance' of Daryl's younger cousin Robert. Their baby is due in May and they asked Daryl while they were here 

if he would officiate at their wedding next year. 

About 4:30 we headed back over to Grandma's house for round two of Christmas. 

Goofing around with presents! 

Something called a "Flashpad" with 5 games on it, similar to the old Simon Says. 

The new Hess 2012 Rescue Helicopter. 

Reading his new Wimpy Kid book - he actually finished the WHOLE thing before he went to bed. 

Celebrating all day long is exhausting. 

Wesley was coloring on his new Crayola Sound and Color Pad and said, "I don't want to color anymore," right before he laid over and started snoring. Too cute! 

The naps from the guys gave the ladies a chance to chat. 

Later when everyone was awake we watched a little TV and 

introduced Grandma to the Big Bang Theory. 

It was about 9:30pm before we headed back to Grandmommy and Granddaddy's house. 

The boys wanted to show them the rest of their Christmas. 

Grandmommy was so exhausted - she'd been up since 4:30am working on food and other stuff. 

So they just snuggled right up with her in the chair. 

The boys really seemed to enjoy all of the things that they received this year 

and were so expressive in saying thank you to people. 

It was a wonderful family-filled day as celebrated Christmas together. 

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
 Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, 
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this." (Isaiah 9:6-7)