Leatherland Christmas

We spent 3 days in Evansville for Christmas this year. My sister and her family were in town, so we had 10 extra people in my parent's house! It was packed, but we had a great time. Eli and Evan had a blast playing with their cousins. Eli laughed his head off the majority of the time and cried when we had to leave. He got over that though when he realized we were going to Grandpa and Grandma's, not home. Evan wasn't put down much and enjoyed all of the love. While in Evansville, we went to a Fun Center/kid's play area one night, we baked and decorated cookies, played out in the snow (AZ kids loved that!), and we had a blast opening gifts. Wow, Santa was overly generous this year! It looked like the kids woke up in Toys R Us and the adults woke up in the mall. :) We were all surprised, overwhelmed, and so appreciative of everything we received. Thank you, thank you!
side note: We came home from all of our travels and for about 2 days straight the only thing Eli wanted to do was play grocery store. They received a grocery cart, pretend food, and a cash register for Christmas and Eli couldn't get enough! It seems like the boys loved all of their gifts.

Trying the standing up version of all 6 grandkids

And the sitting down version. :)

The 3 boys hanging out. Eli loved playing with them. In a year, little Ev will be right there with them!

Hanging out by the fire

Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Dad truly looked like Santa this year with his beard.

Jackpot!

This picture is hilarious. My sister took it and it shows Ev eating some funny tasting wrapping paper!

Evan opening up his new books

Feeling a little overwhelmed

Aunt Mandi and Uncle Mike got Eli a new Mickey guitar. Big hit.

This picture is awesome! It catches the intensity on Eli's face as he is rocking out with his new guitar. He was getting "the Led out" as he puts it, referring to Led Zeppelin rockin' out! The kid loves music and pretends to play instruments all the time. He studies musicians he sees on TV and emulates them. I can't wait for him to learn how to play something himself!

Eli checking out his V Reader book cartridges he received, with the other kids in the background waiting to open more presents.

Another HUGE hit gift from my sister and Michael- Black and Decker play tools.

All of the kids loved playing with this gift. We were glad we opened it a couple days before Santa came. Everything else may have been thrown aside. haha

This was hilarious to see Eli wearing these safety goggles. He would carry on normal conversations with you wearing them.

Enjoying the beautiful snow on Christmas

Coming up with a game plan

Melayna meant business with that snowball!

What a sweet picture of Micayla

This is a great photo exhibiting brotherly love

Decorating sugar cookies was a fun activity for everyone. Other than some debates over who had what color icing or sprinkles, they all got along great!

Evan getting some love from Memaw at the "fun center"

Just a little friendly competition between Cory and Mom

Cory was such a good sport as the girls were sytling his hair. ha! This is what our future would be like if we ever had a daughter. I loved it.