Christmas was great

We had a lot of fun. The kids really were excited all day on Wednesday. They are super lucky because we have so much family, and they get to open their Christmas presents a day early. So at noon when Jason got up from his nap after returning home from work at 6 am, we opened our Christmas Presents at home. The kids were super excited, to both give and receive presents.
***We started something new this year. To help our kids learn about money management, we started giving them an allowance with Jason's Overtime check. With that money, they had to purchase presents for anyone who they wished to give to. They could combine and buy a larger present together if they wanted, but they were responsible for paying for their presents, saving their money, and making sure they got something for everyone. They all did great and are starting not to want to spend their money as soon as it is given to them. We also made them pay tithes on it as well.****
So, at home, we opened our presents and then started to OPEN them. (I swear, the money they spend on al that packaging must account for half the cost of the items! It sucks) Then we got picked up a little and went to Oma's for dinner with Oma, Alex, Steffi, Desi, and Darryl. We had Prime Rib (YUMMY!!!!!!) and all the other stuff that goes with it. Then after dinner, Alex did the dishes and we got everything all cleaned up. Then it was present time again! The kids were so excited! Sandra go there right before we opened presents and Manny got there in the middle of the present opening. We stayed there until about 9:30 pm, then headed home (SUCH A LONG WAY AWAY! :P ) and got ready for bed. We were tracking Santa and when we noticed that he was in Mexico, Aiden insisted they all go to bed, but not before setting out Chocolate Milk and Cookies! So, by 10:00 pm, all the kids were asleep, visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads, and Jason and I headed off to bed.
3:30 am, the kids were AWAKE! By 5:30 am, Jason and I got up and then found out that Ari was still in bed (how she was sleeping is a good question, because the others sure weren't quite. So, we opened our presents from Santa and strated to put stuff together. First, Jinelle got a kitchen, so we put that together. Ari got a Vanity with a stool, so that was next to be put together. Then Aiden and Noah got Fly Boxes (Skateboard, Bike, and Skate ramps) so we went out front and put those together. Then, we all showered and got dressed. Then over to Oma's again (once again, SO SO SO FAR) and saw what Santa put in stockings there. Then back home and played for a little.
Then at 11 am, we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa's. We opened packages there and then loaded them up into the car, so that when the others got there, ours wouldn't get lost in the shuffle or misplaced, especially since the kids got similar things to their cousins. We ate lunch/dinner there with Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Kasey's family, Grandpa Goose and Debbie (Grandpa's secretary). Then we sat around and visited while the kids all played their new DS's and Ari and Madison listened to their new Nano's. Then around 5:45, Kasey left and to our surprise, minutes later, Santa visited again and dropped off more presents for the kids, plus a Nikon CoolPix SLR Digital Camera for me. Jason left for work and found a iPod Touch from Santa in his car! What a great Santa!!!!!
The kids and I stayed until about 7:30, then headed home. We unlaoded the car and I opened a few more toys. Then off to bed we went. We slept in this morning and all day I've been picking up and opening toys. Luckily our trash day was today, so we got rid of a lot fo our packaging, and have room to put the rest that still needs to be opened. Today Grandpa Wayne and his soon-to-be-wife, Peggy (soon-to-be Grandma Peggy!) are coming over for dinner. Then tomorrow we are going to Opa's for lunch/dinner and to give him his presents we got for them. I will post some pics soon, hopefully. Keep in mind, I just got my camera at 6 pm, so I didn't get to use it yet. I charged the battery last night, so hopefully I can find time to read through the instruction book and then I can start using it! So the pics I did take were with Aiden's camera.