Merry Christmas, Hartman Style!

Our Christmas celebrations began with our annual Christmas Eve Dinner at our house with my parents and sister's family. This year, Chris did not want a kids table, he wanted everyone at the same table. So... we set up two tables in our living room. I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical at first...not eating in the dining room, but I actually liked his idea!

My mommy, sister, and me.

The best part about my sister and I living only 5 minutes from each other, is that our kids are so close. They act more like a big family with 8 kids than just cousins.

Nana and Poppop opening one of their gifts.

Group shot....

Every year, Santa drives through our neighborhood on top of a fire truck on Christmas Eve. As soon as we here the fire engines, we all grab our coats and head outside to wave to Santa as he drives passed our house.

A pic of our tree after Santa arrived, and before the kids tear through it.

Every year Santa leaves a gift next to everyone's bed. This year he left big horns. (Lucky me!!) This is how we were awakened on Christmas morning...at 530AM. You may be thinking that the 5 year old or even the 9 year were the first ones up.....NO.....the 17, 15, and 13 year old were up first and woke up the younger 2.

Our kids pic pollyannas during the month of December. They always exchange their gifts with each other in our room before going downstairs.

Here they are, waiting patiently while we turn on the the lights.....and more importantly....make coffee.

Next stop....stockings.

Best part of the day....watching our kids come running into the family room!

After gifts, a big breakfast, (the only day of the year I cook bacon in my house,) we head to church, then go visit with Grammy. Later that afternoon, Nana and Poppop come over. This year the Kelly Family also joined us for dinner.

The day after Christmas, we all headed over to the Geo Hartman house for our annual Hartman Family Christmas Party. The little kids had a shuv-un-da gift exchange. Too much to explain, but HILARIOUS!!!!! Then it's time for the adult shuv-un-da gift exchange. Even more HILARIOUS!!!

Group shot.

Once again, a beautiful Christmas, but could only be perfect if Tom and The Huck were there with us. Missed so much by all of us.

Here come's Santa

For the past several weeks Kamryn informed us that she did not want to see Santa Claus. She was too scared to see him last year too. After a lot of discussions, she finally agreed to see Santa ONLY if Avery want with her. She also told us that she would not sit on his lap OR talk to him. We agreed to her requests because I just wanted her pic taken. On Saturday morning Chris, all 4 girls and I (CJ was working) headed out to breakfast, then to the mall to see Santa. Kylie and Madison did not want to see Santa, so they went to Starbucks instead. While we were in line waitng, Kamryn informed us that she changed her mind, she did not want her pic taken at all. I promised her a Happy Meal if she got in the pic. She negotiated a Happy Meal plus daddy had to stay with her. Hope you love my pic of Santa this year as much as I do!!!!!

Our musical child!

This past Thursday Avery had her orchestra concert. She did such a fabulous job with her violin. I didn't get a pic of her. Orchestra parents seem crazier than sports parents. We got there an hour and 10 minutes before the concert and got seats toward the back. When the concert started parents would just stand up in front of you to look for their kid, or walk up front to get a pic, I have never seen anything like it. But no one yelled out their kid's name. Avery told Chris next time he should yell out her name like he does at dance recitals. Maybe he will start a new trend with concerts!

Avery is also in her school's chorus. The 4th grade chorus members sang on Friday at her school's Frosty Fest. We got much better seats here!