Raucci Family Christmas

Our day continued with dinner at Aunt Jen's with the wild and rowdy gang. The kiddo's ran wild and we ate like kings. And Ava followed around "Cousin Becky" just about all night. Ava so idolizes her ever since Becky and Mikes wedding. Then we, of course participated in the crazy grab bag, with which I was so generously gifted with a bath plunger! Well considering we have four bathrooms on three different floors, I suppose having an extra plunger isn't the worst thing - but certainly the strangest Christmas gift I've received to date. Thanks to everyone for such a great Christmas, it certainly wouldn't be the same without seeing all of you.

Christmas with the Hotter's

Here we are at Aunt Debbie's for her absolutely fabulous Christmas Brunch. She makes the best brunch too (the French Toast cassorole is incredible).

We are so blessed to have such great family to share our Holidays with. Oh and yup, that is Zac with Grandpa holding up the platter Zac made!

Our Christmas Morning

I am so late with this as I really wanted to take the time to write something heartfelt, but haven't had the time......so the pic's will have to due for now. These are of Christmas morning. The monkeys were over the moon and brimming with excitement. Of course they had all their favorites and then some so what's not to be excited about? For Ava: Spider-Man, Hannah Montana, Bratz toys and Zac: truck, animal, dinosaur toys. Throw in a big-o Jump-O-Lean and kid recliners for the basement and we're all set.

A True Winter Wonderland

Here we are outside in the cold and snow to enjoy the Christmas Lights at Lincoln Park Zoo. We actually were very fortunate to have one of the warmest days of the month, and the snow made it all the more magical.

Twas the Night Before Christmas

and these two couldn't be any cuter. What a bunch of excited, sweet monkeys I tell ya. Anticipation and excitement filled the air - I LOVE making them happy. It is my best Christmas gift.

Christmas message

Watching our video message from Santa. He's been watching us and knows just where to find us! Gotta listen to mommy and not fight with one another so he can bring us lots of presents on Christmas morning!

We also have Ava in her very trendy Christmas dress and the two in their Chairs that Santa brought. This dress is a Hannah Dress (actually it just had a Hannah Montana sticker on the tag. Wonder how that got there? Will try anything to get her into a dress I guess. Wish she'd of worn the gorgeous red corduroy dress trimmed with white fur I bought but that wasn't to be. I'll take what I can get though.)

from way back.

... these were before Christmas. Our first Gingerbread house, isn't she a beauty? We were all laughing at it sliding apart. Daddy tried to prop it up with bowls and glasses as he didn't want to stand and hold it together until it dried. Then we'd laugh as it would all slide apart. And of course there was baking with Elmo too.