A Marler Christmas

We celebrated Christmas with my family on Christmas afternoon. We hosted the whole crew at our home this year. As usual, it was full of fun, loud, crazy, memorable moments. There is never a dull or quiet moment when you get 16 people together under one roof, and 6 of those little darlings, are ages 7 and under. But, we wouldn't trade it for anything. It makes my heart happy.

Before we open gifts, Pappy has always started off the day with reading the, Marler Christmas Story Book. But this year, he changed it up, and now the older grandkids are going to take turns reading. It was such a great idea and I am loving this new tradition. You can read more about this book on my moms blog here.

Cade, Maggie, and Cole getting ready

Carson

Cade listening (and, smiling)

Lily

Daddy and Cash

Cole

Cade

Everyone read the last page together with Pappy

Then, it was time for presents.

There were timed scooter races circling the inside of the house

Some dozed off for little power naps

There was a lot of cousin loving going on

We also...ate a ton, hung out, watched movies and just chilled. Somehow, I managed to not get a single picture of any of that.

Coming up...McWhorter Christmas

Oh, and it is New Year's Eve. In a couple of hours, we are heading to hang with a group of our closest friends and their families.

What are your plans for tonight?

Christmas Morning

Christmas day started off pretty late in our home. We finally had to wake the kids up at 10am. We LOVE that our children LOVE to sleep! We do count this as a blessing! :)

This is our yearly top of the stairs picture. Maggie is holding the star from her count down to Christmas chain that she made at school. She was very serious about that thing.

I love that Maggie has her eyes closed. Ha! She didn't want to see anything!

And, they're off! Love this!

The girls cared nothing about their presents. They were all about Cash that morning. It was hysterical and so, so sweet. They do love that brother of theirs. I know that in the years to come it will change. So, for now we will cherish it. I love Lily's hand in this picture.

When they were finally done with the excitement of Cash's train table, the girls looked over and saw their art table and presents.

ALL the girls wanted for Christmas were pillow pets. I'm serious! That is ALL they wanted! They asked for NOTHING else! They already had some from last Christmas, so I have no idea what the fascination was all about. Maggie wanted a unicorn and Lily wanted a dolphin. Thankfully, the unicorn was very easy. But, trying to find the dolphin about did us in. I finally found it at Bed Bath and Beyond, of all places. Whew!

I love how you can see the pure excitement on Maggie's face in this set of pictures.

The beloved dolphin!

They all love to sing, so everyone got a microphone of their very own.

After the craziness of Christmas...


we played with new gifts...


ate lots and lots of candy...


read some new books...


acted silly...


watched some new movies...


smiled for the camera...


played baseball in the house...


took naps...


but, we NEVER forgot the true meaning of this day!

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Coming up...Marler Christmas!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve, we attended an early service of one of our church's satellite campus'. Conn was leading all of the worship. He worked so hard on everything and did such a great job. God has truly given him an amazing gift and I loved seeing it come alive up on the stage.

The girls' were asked to go up on stage with Conn and help lead the carols by candlelight. They really did love this...even if their faces don't show it. Ha! :)

Santa made an appearance. Cash had NO interest in him this time. :)

Fun Christmas trees were decorated everywhere. This one was in front of the children's area.

We were able to grab daddy for a quick family picture.
After this service, the kids and I left Conn to do 2 more services, and we went with my parents to
their church Christmas Eve service. Yes, we attended 4 different services this year. Thankfully, the kids (well, the girls) did really great and made it through most of them with no problem.
Afterwards, the kids and I raced home and I put them to bed. Conn made it home around 10pm and we started wrapping presents and assembling all of the kids gifts. We finished up a couple of hours later, and then put ourselves to bed.

Coming up....Happy Birthday, Jesus!