Chanukah 2010

We finally celebrated!

It was well worth the wait!

Everyone had a great time...

Here are just some of the gifts waiting to go into the
family room for opening...

Jared arrived nice and early and it was nice to "visit"
with him alone!!!!
He is the BEST!!!!
The rest of the children arrived around one and while
we were just sitting around we had this
scene on our lawn and across the street...

Ellie always puts a smile on my face...

The girls BEGGED to open one gift so I let them
open today's version of "pop-it" beads
They loved them and this is some of what Ellie made...

Marlie made me a flower ring which I did not take
a picture of, but I still have it on the counter
Rebecca and "Bear" came to visit also

Everyone started arriving so the appetizers started going out...
This is just some of them...

Ellie was in a very silly mood and wanted a tulle ribbon in her hair
which happened to look adorable

Baby Addison arrived and is getting more beautiful

Marlie was playing "cat's cradle" and was very proud

of her "Jewish star"!!!!

Sari, Addison and Jared

Richard and Mindy bought the kids "dance Mickey"

and Jake really loved it

Jared and Addison

Marlie, Jake and Addison

Lighting the Menorah
(yes, Chanukah was officially over, but we saved
candles for this occasion)

Finally it was time to open presents...

Jeffrey loved his Gator Grill cover...

 We also celebrated Noel's and Christine's Birthdays

Making Smores was part of dessert and Marlie got

the Hershey logo on the marshmallow

You can also see the cookie plate in the background

YUMMY!!!

an overall view

Jake had such a good time playing and eating

and after his bath he was tired

night, night Jake!!!!

What a fun guest he is...

Group hug with Jeffrey, Addison and Danielle

Night, Night Addison

All the "guests" left and it was time for US to open our gifts

Marlie and Ellie got to open one gift each before bedtime

They knew they wanted to open their American Girl Doll beds

They were so excited...

Marlie has Lanie and Julie

She already has Lanie's hammock

So she received Julie's bed

Ellie received Rebecca's bed

They were both very happy with their gifts

They would open the rest of their gifts in the morning

It was time for us to open all of our gifts

Danielle and I put on our pajamas as we always do

and we got down to business

We were all like babies and nobody wanted to start

I was very excited for Noel to open his gift

as we combined his Birthday gift with Chanukah

Here is his reaction to his final gift (number eight)

It is an IPAD which he has desperately wanted

HE WAS VERY HAPPY!!!!!

Jared was also very happy

He is moving in February and told us to buy

him NOTHING for Chanukah

but I could not do that

So we bought him things for his new house

and he was very happy also

I did not get pictures of me or Danielle opening our presents

but I promise you we were VERY happy!!!

Michael was also very happy

Here are the girls the next morning

 

Everyone had a fabulous time

It was a wonderful holiday

There was nothing I would redo

My family is incredible...

I love them beyond!!!

I wish I had not been sick this week

but I still managed to pull it off

I will still post more about last weekend's class

I hope all your holiday plans are coming along

Hugs and More

Peggy