On to Christmas!

The holidays were so much fun. It was actually really nice to have the party come to us for both Thanksgiving and Christmas this year! All the Schaacks came into town for Christmas this year and it was a ton of fun! Its been a while since our whole family has been together and been able to just hang out. The last couple times we've all gotten together its been for weddings so there hasn't been time to relax and enjoy each other until after the wedding and then the couple is gone. So it was really fun to hang out with and really get to know my two newest sister-in-laws that I got a year or more ago! And of course it was great to hang out with the rest of my family as well! Before Christmas we were able to go to a Mavs game with my brother Steve and his family, and also Jon's family which is always a good time! :) The kids I think were only interested in the snacks we brought--but I guess you can't really expect much less. :)
I always tend to look forward to Christmas eve more than actual Christmas day, I think mostly because that's when my family usually does all of our Christmas activities. This year was no different. My parents and Lindsey flew in at about 3 pm that day and then we had a really yummy ham dinner with all the good stuff to go with it. After dinner we put on a little nativity act which was a first for most of us Schaacks I think. It was fun though-Mckenzie and Jacob made a pretty cute Mary and Joseph and the rest of us filled in as angels and wisemen and donkeys...:) It was actually a little bit funny. Then the kids got to open their Christmas pajamas. Then we had a big slumber party at Jon and Lisa's that night. We all lined up on air mattresses in their front room, and of course my brothers couldn't hold back on dumb jokes, songs, and sounds to keep us laughing for a little while. It was a good time.
It was fun to watch all the kids on Christmas morning. Although they all seemed to want what the other one had. :) Then we had a yummy breakfast, lots of good food. Lisa outdid herself with Santa pancakes for the kids. They were so cute but all the kids were so sidetracked with all their new stuff they didn't hardly even touch them. :) After that we went to the church for a little family basketball game, and then later that night Robbie and Jess flew in!
After Christmas and when everyone else arrived (on Christmas eve and Christmas night) we were able to do a few more cool things. We all were able to go to the Dallas Temple here (thanks to Lindsey for babysitting!). We had planned on doing a session, but traffic was HORRIBLE on the way so we ended up missing the session and opted to do sealings instead which turned out to be really neat and one of the coolest temple trips I've ever had. We were able to see a lady be sealed to her deceased husband and then also we all got to sit and be sealed for another large family. It was really cool!! It just all worked out so well. It was a really good trip.
Also, Steve and Alli were able to bless their sweet baby girl, Cami, while they were here with everyone. It was fun to be able to see that as well. And then of course we all got to pose for a big family picture. :) always a good time. :)