We kept Christmas very simple. The kids were told that we weren't doing gifts this year because we had our trip to Orlando and this trip to New Orleans. And they were cool with that. We much rather spend our money on experiences together rather than stuff.
It was an unconventional Christmas. This is what I wrote on my Instagram account:
"Sam surveying what Santa left yesterday a.m. in the hotel hallway, because, you know, no chimney. We had a fantastic Christmas in New Orleans! Other than spending from 1-4am in the ER with one kid, and then driving home in our piece of crap 12 passenger ghetto van, windows rattling violently, and paint peeling off the exterior. At least three of us were puking our guts out throughout the drive and others on the verge of it. Peeeeeyou! Our family of ten can have the most epic of trips I tell ya. Stopping at a gas station with vomit on us and buying a roll of paper towels, baby wipes, and ziplock baggies for future puking, hadn't really been in my plans for Christmas. While Steve and I were trying to clean up all the vomit (while I was vomiting myself,) Celeste says "I don't know how you guys do it. I could never survive having this many kids." We just laughed. We love this crazy life we signed up for! Anything less chaotic seems super boring to me. But hey, each to their own."
I did simple stockings. They each got an outfit, a couple of toiletry type items, and a bit of candy.
I just put the stockings out in the hallway at the hotel.
The kids looking at their stuff in their disaster of a hotel room.
Andy said the deodorant was his favorite gift because he smelled bad.
The little girls modeling their outfits.
I got this super sweet text from one of my ballet students on Christmas morning. I was so touched that she said all she wanted for Christmas was private lessons from me.
Allie and Jonah are buddies.
