My girl friends and I celebrated the holiday season with a fun ornament exchange at the Tukwilla Spaghetti Factory. It was alot of fun to share a meal out with my friends. We drew numbers and picked wrapped ornaments. I enjoyed seeing all the different kinds of ornaments; some hand made, some cheesy, some just beautiful, and some really creative!
Then, Jeremy and I hosted our only holiday meal at our house with our dear friends, The Barretts and Miss Janel. We went all out making ham, sweet potatoes, and green beans. Our friends added a salad, bread, and dessert. YUM! After dinner we had a gift exchange. The kids got fun toys and books and the adults made food treats for each other. Such fun! 
The adult table
The Kids table
Me, Diede, and Senta
Nikki and Darla
Maddie BearJeremy's family has a wonderful tradition of caroling the night before Christmas eve. In years past, we have hosted the event. But this year, Jeremy's cousin Kellie hosted since she is living right next door to both sets of Grandparents. It was a cold , dry night while we sang our hearts out. As usual, after we sing, we like to warm up with hot cocoa and treats.
Diede joined the family and was matching Jeremy. I had to get a pic!
Cousin Kellie enjoying chocolate wine.Christmas eve we shared our meal with the Waggoner clan at the Issaquah Senior Center. The potluck was wonderful, with lots of great food. After dinner Santa came and brought gifts for all the kids, and some of the adults too!
Darla and Derick, all dressed up and looking great!
Uncle Josh and Nieces Darla and Jewel
Cousins Jewel and Derick
Jeremy's grandparents with a beautiful gift from Josh and Nikanne
Darla and her baby, with the same adorable dress.
Nikanne with Timmy and Lucas
Grandpa and Darla
Jeremy's step Dad, Lonnie and his parents Butch and Maxine
Derick with his gift from Santa, a skateboard/scooter
Darla with her gift from Santa, a play kitchen
Jeremy with his gift from me, a juicer.
Derick with another gift, a Transformer Helmet.
Darla enjoying her new Tag reader.
Jake and his daughter, Ella.
Darla with her new towel from Grandma Judi. Yes, that's a shiner she's got on her left eye. The week before xmas, she fell hard while on the run and landed directly on her face. Poor thing!
The day after Christmas, we headed to Redmond for a holiday brunch with my side of the family. Jodi and Brian hosted in their new home. We had delicious egg bakes, cinnamon rolls, fruit, and ham. Mimosas completed the meal. After breakfast we got into the tree and were spoiled with love once again.
Nonna and Sydney.
Jeremy and the kids, right before we got into the tree.
Darla with her new baby stuff.
Jeremy and Brian watching some football while the kids napped.
Darla and Derick, all dressed up and looking great!
Uncle Josh and Nieces Darla and Jewel
Cousins Jewel and Derick
Jeremy's grandparents with a beautiful gift from Josh and Nikanne
Darla and her baby, with the same adorable dress.
Nikanne with Timmy and Lucas
Grandpa and Darla
Jeremy's step Dad, Lonnie and his parents Butch and Maxine
Christmas morning is our special time, with just the four of us together. Jeremy and I were a little nervous about Derick waking early. Sure enough, he was calling out for me at 5am! He said he was woken up by something shaking his whole bed. I did my best to comfort him and get him to go back to sleep. But, a few minutes later, I heard him get up out of bed. I raced to the door to try and keep him from looking downstairs....but too late! He'd seen and Santa had been here!!! We went potty and I told him we needed to wait...it was still too early to get up. Since we both were awake and Daddy was NOT happy about it, I decided to lay with Derick in his room for a while. A few minutes later, Daddy poked his head around the corner, exclaiming, "What is going on here??!!" Oh dear. I headed back to our room to smooth things over after getting a promise from Derick to stay in his room til I came for him. Jeremy and I laid there for a while, both of us awake. "Ok, this is silly," Jeremy said. He got up to make coffee and we waited til 7 before we woke Darla and got into the tree. The kids had a blast opening presents and Jeremy and I enjoyed watching their happy faces.
Derick with his gift from Santa, a skateboard/scooter
Darla with her gift from Santa, a play kitchen
Jeremy with his gift from me, a juicer. 
Derick with another gift, a Transformer Helmet.
Darla enjoying her new Tag reader.Christmas Day we headed over to Jeremy's sisters home to share a meal with the immediate family. The food was amazing; Turkey, mashed potatoes, salad, fresh home-made bread, and several desserts. Oh MY! Then, the kids opened presents while the adults participated in a true white elephant exchange.
Jake and his daughter, Ella. 
Darla with her new towel from Grandma Judi. Yes, that's a shiner she's got on her left eye. The week before xmas, she fell hard while on the run and landed directly on her face. Poor thing!
The day after Christmas, we headed to Redmond for a holiday brunch with my side of the family. Jodi and Brian hosted in their new home. We had delicious egg bakes, cinnamon rolls, fruit, and ham. Mimosas completed the meal. After breakfast we got into the tree and were spoiled with love once again.
Nonna and Sydney.
Jeremy and the kids, right before we got into the tree.
Darla with her new baby stuff.
Jeremy and Brian watching some football while the kids napped.The week after Christmas was pretty mellow, Jeremy worked alot from home while we worked our way through the leftovers. I do enjoy Christmas, but I'm happy to have put away all the decorations and won't miss hearing the Chipmunks until this time next year.
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