We got "Carey-ed" Away on Christmas Night

After we cleaned up all the morning antics of Christmas, packed up, and said goodbye to Nonna and Grandpa, we headed out to San Marino for the events ahead for Christmas night.

We checked into the hotel with practically every toy the kids got just a few hours earlier!

The poor valet guy and bellman worked hard!

The kids just LOVE hotels. They get so excited whenever we stay over anywhere.

Here is Charlie with her new best friend, Rapunzel. She wanted to carry her herself instead of letting her go up with the bellman. I wish I got a picture of it but she dragged that doll all the way to the room. Cute.

After some little naps by the little people, Jeff, Julie, and Papa came to our hotel room for a little family "pre-party."

Ryan with her uncle and godfather. She simply loves when her aunt and uncle come to town.

Julie picked out some great gifts for the girls. One of the gifts they got for Charlie was a TinkerBell jewelry box that has a key for her to wear around her neck to keep her stuff "safe and secret" in her box. She wore that key for a week!

Can't go wrong with princess Barbies! Charlie was in heaven.

Poor Ryan was a trooper. Her eye was all swollen and we weren't quite sure what it was. We called the pediatrician even to see what to do. I think it really bothered her but she hung in there the best she could all night.

We all shared a little holiday cheer!

Papa and Steve hangin'out before we all carpooled over to the Carey's house for the big event.

The Carey's host an amazing Christmas Night... every year! This was an especially great year for us because Christmas night fell on a Saturday night. If you understand Steve's business, you'd understand that typically Christmas night is a work night for Steve because he goes in to work during the early morning hours of December 26th. so, on the years we've been at the Carey's on Christmas night, we've had to leave on the early side so that Steve can get home to go to work. But... since Christmas was on Saturday, Steve doesn't work Sunday mornings so we got to stay late and stay at the hotel to really enjoy our night. It was awesome.
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It was nice because all of the cousins are starting to have babies and there are getting to be kids all around for the girls to play with.

Ryan with Kaila

Charlie with Charlie

There are two little boys that live next door to the Carey's and are close family friends. Charlie was smitten. We may have to be careful in years to come when Charlie and Ryan want to "stay the night at Aunt Ginny's." Hmmmm....

The long day and Ryan's eye meant that the Grace Girls needed a little break.

It definitely helped.

No problem... while they rested Mommy got to mingle and hang out with all the people! Oh, I had so much fun! Everyone is just such a hoot! Great crowd. And crowd is just the right term. Tim and Ginny hosted close to 40 people for a sit down Christmas dinner. I'm still in awe at how they pull it all together.

Here are a few shots of the mingling...

Jeff and Marzie

Me and Bubba (Uncle Jim)

The hostess, Ginny, and two of the little darlings of the night.

Morgan and Charlie

Papa and his two sons!

Aunt Casey, Aunt Marzie and Ry-Ry

Robyn and me

Kelli and Robyn

Julie, the Grace Girls, and Charlie's key

Julie and Katie

All the cousins!

After the amazing meal, the chaos of gift opening began. Ginny got everyone cozy socks like these. Charlie loved hers (of course, they were soft, warm, and PURPLE!)

The girls got so many great outfits and toys and gifts. Thank you everyone for always spoiling our girls. They have been the best dressed since they returned to school after the holiday... no purple socks to school though Charlie! Momma's gotta draw the line somewhere, right?

Poor Ryan and that eye, still hangin' in there snuggling with daddy.

The night is coming to a close and Charlie is letting us know that SHE IS READY! Apparently, we had all better jump when she says so.

Julie tried to make "Grumpy Girl" happy...

To no avail...

Well, Charlie was right. It was a wonderful morning, day, and night but it was certainly time to turn in! Whoa! What an amazing Christmas!

Thank you to all of our friends and family for making our Christmas so special.