We exchanged gifts that night too, those of us who were there, anyway. The girls were quite thrilled to get their own special bars of soap from Aunt Jackie. It's amazing what gets little girls excited. They wanted to take a shower as soon as we got home, but I put them off. Nonna and Poppa gave the girls matching pajamas which they were extremely excited to wear for the first time on Christmas Eve night. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my camera, so I don't have any Coelho Christmas pictures to share. Maybe next year...
Well despite Eve's trouble getting to sleep that night, Santa did come to our house this year. This is the first year that Eve was able to remember the previous Christmas, and her excitement knew no bounds. She laid in bed with eyes wide open until 10:30, then climbed in bed with Ben and I at 5:45. After an hour of laying in bed with her wiggling beside me, I let her get up and open her stocking. Sadie was up soon after and the girls were surprised and pleased by all the goodies Santa left in their stockings. I 
think Eve expected only bubble gum toothpaste since that's all she asked for.Liberty was almost as thrilled as her sisters. Up until Christmas she had to fight her sisters to get her hands on a toy cellphone, but Santa solved that for us. Mommy and Daddy got the girls a doll house with furniture and dolls, and it's a big hit for all three of them.
After breakfast, Daddy took the big girls to Grandma's house so Mommy could clean and wrap in peace until the annual Mavy service project. This year we cleaned up the yard of an elderly neighbor. This is a big party, esp. for the cousins. Here are all the busy bees, raking
cutting grass. I had a nice view from the road when I took a herd of cousins to our house for a potty break.
When it was time t
o bring the lawn mower home grandpa gave some of the kids wild rides. You'd be amazed what those little mowers can do on a nice slope.
After our law
n adventures, we headed back to the Big Mavys' for our white elephant gift exchange. This is always a fun activity, but this year I was a little nervous to hear that the game would include taking gifts from people who had already opened them. I wasn't sure that Eve and Sadie would be able to handle having their present taken away. No one wanted Sadie's gift - a ceramic Noah's Ark bell, but Eve opened a gingerbread house kit. Eve did just fine, she didn't even protest when one of her cousins stole it, and of course when Ben got the chance he stole it back for her. All the kids did really well. No one cried or even complained when his present got snatched and everyone was happy with what he ended up with. 
Emily was plain adorable when her present got snatched. She couldn't make up her mind what gift to steal or open. Everyone with a lame gift was trying to convince her to take his.
Grandpa shows his prize - this rooster used to be on my apartment wall and has been an old favorite at White Elephant for three years now. I wanted it back, but Ben says he'll use it for kindling if I bring it home. He has no taste.
We also have a variety show every Christmas - called an un-talent show by some. Here is the most musically inclined family sharing a Christmas Carol with us. Unfortunately, we weren't very prepared this year, so we sang Eve's version of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." She sings "Bring Us a Piggy Pudding."
Liberty loved the music, and clapped and sang along. She loves playing with the Immy's -
Timmy and Kimmy.
