Guarino Family Fun: December...

We had an amazing December this year. Last Christmas was a blur of moving and getting settled in the house. This year, we had cozy fires in the fireplace, lots of family and friends, and more joy than our hearts could hold.

Settle in, this is going to be a long, but fun post...

We picked out our Christmas tree at our favorite little nursery, where they always have cookies, punch, free poinsettias!, and fun treat bags for the kiddos!

Joe's parents were in town for Ella's skating show (next post!), so they got to join in the fun of picking, hauling, and decorating.

We also hosted a Toys For Tots party for some of the kids' and our friends. It was really special to see the kids so excited about giving. We also collected something like 250 lbs of canned goods for our local food pantry. There was, of course, lots to eat and drink and some fun Christmas crafts fro the kids. We are so blessed to have a great group of families for our kids to grow up with, who share our values and are raising fantastic people. It really does take a village...
Gabe, being Gabe.

Painting salt dough ornaments.

The birthday twins! Gabe and Kaitlyn.

Will, Ella K., and Lyla Making cards to send to the troops overseas.

Brad and Tyler decorating a tree.

Jackie and baby Brooke.

Bryce and Brooke.

The goods!

We also had a special elf come to stay for the lead-up to Christmas... Will named our Elf on the Shelf, Ralph. They just loved finding him each morning and seeing what kind of mischief he was up to. Ella would just shake her head and and say, "That Ralph. Sometimes he's a bit of a stinker." Me, on the other hand, I don't know how many times I had to drag myself out of bed just before falling asleep in order to tend to, That Ralph. He brought them a special breakfast the morning he showed up, complete with hot chocolate, marshmallow snowmen, and coconut snow. Will was amazed with Ralph's feats of strength, because he somehow managed to get the Christmas plates and placemats out of the storage bins in the basement...

We were also treated to two adorable Christmas performances at Will and Ella's school. They both did a fantastic job singing!

The morning of Ella's show.

Ella and Isabella, our next door neighbor and Ella's BFF.

Singing her little heart out!!

Will, looking less than thrilled!

Getting into it!

"There's a little Elf sitting on my nose!"

We also went to a local farm to take a hayride with Santa (they would only wave), roast marshmallows and feed the animals. Such a fun family afternoon!

Gabe just loved watching the farm dog run alongside the wagon and all over the fields. He just kept pointing and yelling "Woof!!"

Sticky marshmallow faces!

One of the highlights of Christmas each year is when Santa comes around my parent's neighborhood on the antique fire truck. The kids get to sit on his lap and he brings them each an apple, an orange, and a big bag of M&M's. Will was SO excited. Ella would only let Joe hold her and wave to him (she didn't turn down the present from the firemen, however!). Gabe wouldn't go near either, but loved all the lights on the fire truck.
Will, telling Santa about the things on his list- including a dinosaur, legos, and an airplane. He was the only one to sit on Santa's lap this year!

Gabe waving!

Sarah, Tyler and Will.

Of course we did a lot of baking this Christmas! The Foley's came over to make cut-out sugar cookies with us. We are so lucky to have such great neighbors!

It was a MESS!! But, lots of fun!

The Norris' came over to help us decorate gingerbread houses. We had a really great time. Emily, I think, had the most fun. She helped Kaitlyn make a perfect house! It was truly a work of art, especially for an 18 month old!! Gabe was thrilled that we were having a fantastic morning candy buffet! No idea how much sugar that kid consumed.

Gabe, and Kaitlyn and Em hard at work! Look at that scalloped roof!! Adorable!

I seriously can't wait for their rehearsal dinner when I can make a slide of all the pictures of Gabe trying to kiss Kaitlyn and her backing away in horror. I have so MANY!

We did some family baking too! We just love the peanut butter Hershey kiss cookies!

Again, how much candy has this kid had?!?

They Tabay's came over for a pre-Chistmas gathering so we could spend some time with new baby Jameson! He's a doll!
Madeline and her newest brother!

Trying to get all 6 kids in one picture. Epic fail.

We hosted Christmas Eve this year. It was perfect! Joe carving the AMAZING standing rib roast...

A family pic!

The coordinating sweatered grandmas!

WHO GAVE HER LIPSTICK?!?! Oh yeah, me. She's so cute!

Our Christmas Eve table! Only the 3rd meal we've eaten in our dining room!

My grandma brought the kids a pinata! The loved it!

A few presents from their grandparents.

Oh Ella...

We got them a Lego table so they don't have to take apart their creations!

Gabe and my grandma.

Sprinkling reindeer food on the front lawn!

Tracking Santa on the Norad website and reading Twas the Night Before Christmas before bed!

Christmas morning!!

Gabe got a climber for the basement from Santa. Santa told us he hoped this would keep Gabe from climbing on furniture, particularly onto the middle of the kitchen table.

Will got his dinosaur!

Ella got her princess castle... This was the only thing she continually asked for and has played with it nonstop since.

Will ran the entire morning and all his presents were opened in a matter of seconds. Ella took her time and played as she opened. Gabe only went on the climber and didn't open anything else!