Christmas Highlights

This week has got to be one of the fastest of the year.  A much needed break, time with family and friends, a visit to the museum, playing and dancing, and lots of cleaning and organizing pretty much sums it up, but here are some details of Christmas Eve and Christmas:

• We had a wonderful Christmas Eve with John's side of the family (minus one) that included the fifth annual reading of The Night Before Christmas.

And to all a good night...

• The kids fed the reindeer and set out cookies for Santa.  They were sad to say goodbye to our elf, Caische, for the year.  Caische chose a great spot for his last day and watched all of the unwrapping from his high vantage point.




Can you see Caische on the wreath in the background?


• After a strict discussion of when it would be ok to wake up on Christmas morning (only after the sun comes up), the kids managed to find one ray of light to use as evidence that 7:00 was go time.  They were so excited.  We headed to the livingroom where the magic happened overnight.  They excitedly opened their stockings and then the presents Santa left them under the tree.  Sadly, the process went much more quickly than last year, when they wanted to savor each gift as they opened them.  This year, they wasted no time tearing through the presesnts.  Everly got the Dora watch that she was so hoping Santa would bring; Cortlan got the Legos he wanted and has been hard at work building with them ever since.

One of the highlights.  Nevermind the Loving Family Dollhouse; she wanted the Dora watch.

• There were many other surprises under the tree, as well.  My favorite gift was a Garmin running watch; I have already run 16 miles with it so far.  And now I know it was actually 16 miles and not some number in that ballpark.  I also know that I am a bit slower than I thought.  But that is ok.  John's big gift this year was a set of integrated turn signals for his motorcycle.  (Don't be jealous.)
• We played with our new toys and enjoyed a nice brunch together.  While the kids napped, still in their PJs from the night before, we prepped to go to my parent's house, where there were still more toys, as well as some great food and some singing and dancing.

My niece got this karaoke machine for Christmas.  The kids had a blast.

• The kids have had such fun visiting their friends this week and playing with all of their new things.  I have had fun visiting as well, but not so much fun trying to figure out where all the new things should go.  We are blessed to have all that we have, though, especially our family and friends. 

It was either this one, or the one where Cort had his finger in his nose.  The kids weren't into getting thier pictures taken this Christmas.

Amazing that another Christmas has gone by.  Here's to another year of memories...