Merry Christmas To All

Merry Christmas to all!!!

We had such a wonderful day yesterday. Of course I took way too many pictures (especially given I got a new camera from someone special). The kids we totally into it and had a real blast all day, even though they are both feeling under the weather.

We had a nice Christmas Eve together at the house. Since we had gone to church earlier in the morning, we didn't go back for the evening service. We cooked a pork tenderloin and got some other yummies together. Then the kids each got to eat a cookie they had made Saturday with Tom. Since Jeffrey decided to wipe his hands through his hair a short bath was required after that. When both were dry and in PJs we gathered up some Christmas stories and went downstairs to read together. Erin chose Clown of God (which is this beautiful Italian Christmas story)first. Then Jeffrey had me read a mitten book. Lastly we decided to read The Night Before Christmas together. By the 3rd page of the book Erin was fast asleep in Tom's arms. I carried her up to bed before she even got a chance to leave goodies for Santa (we'll do that next year). One last story and Jeffrey headed to bed too. Tom and I turned out the lights and listened to the Nutcracker on the radio and looked at the tree.

In all honesty I was probably more excited than the kids were about Christmas morning. Erin knew that when she finished her calendar that Santa would be there, but I'm not sure she really comprehended it. I actually had to get up and start moving around about 8:30 so they would begin to rouse. Noni had sent them Christmas morning outfits and "Santa" hung them on their doorknobs after they had gone to bed. Erin woke up thrilled to see her little dress and to show Jeffrey his.

We got dressed and moved the kids downstairs to take some pictures in front of the tree. Oh the excitement!!! So many presents under the tree. This is the first year Erin has really gotten excited. Jeffrey just feeds off her energy. Santa left them great stockings full of new stuff for the kitchen for both, Little Pets for Erin and trucks for Jeffrey. It took at least 30 minutes for them to get through their stockings.

Then we made special eggs and bacon for breakfast. The kids ate a little but were too excited to really focus on eating. A few encouraging words like "Erin if you eat all your eggs we can open presents from under the tree" got them eating.

Several hours later we were swimming in piles of paper, boxes, clothing and toys (including a new camera for me and an Ipod for Tom). The biggest hits seem to be these little phones from Target that work like real cel-phones. Both of them got one and they make real ringing sounds and talk to you. Best of all - if you set them down closed....they call you back. A plethora of Little People invaded the house also including a plane, firetruck, zoo and, best of all, a pirate ship. Nearly everything Jeffrey received had wheels on it and he pushed it all around the living room. And of course being Jeffrey, the first thing he did with his new dump truck was sit in it. Erin also got a bunch of dress-up clothes from Grandma W. She spent most of the evening sitting around playing pirate ship, saying "arghhh" while wearing a purple feather boa, big pink hat, and fuzzy purple high heels. Quite a site to see.

So the living room is still filled with boxes and paper, toys, games and clothes. But it's just thrilling to see the kids have such an exciting time playing with everything. We hope you all had equally exciting and fulfilling Christmases.