December 2008, part 2

Jack got a Batman computer from Santa!

Allan digs into Christmas dinner

Jacki digs the rolls!

How many kids can jump on the tramp at the same time?

Santa listened and brought Will a Tribot!

One of Emma's favorite gifts was an i dog.

Will can even carry Jack in his new backpack!

The best gifts of all - Will, Emma and Jack

Nana gets some Gail Pittman plates

Celebrating Mom's birthday. You would think Emma was the one turning 40!

Me and my incredibly handsome hubby!

On to December 2008, part 2!  I really have to get caught up so I can post some new things.......

After the bad Christmas cookie incident, we had a very nice visit with my mom and Mary Jo. We exchanged gifts and had a nice Christmas dinner.  Also during their visit, they took the kids out for dinner and to see the lights at Tanglewood.  This left Allan and I alone to have dinner with a couple of friends in honor of my birthday.  It was a very thoughtful surprise. 

Finally, the kids were out of school on break and the fun really started!  We spent most of our days playing.  Sad as it may be, the kids just don't have a lot of time to play once they are in school.  There is either homework, sports, Faith Formation or some other activity that prevents long periods of plain old playing.  So, we took advantage of their time off for Christmas and got down to the business of playing and having fun. 

On Christmas Eve, we attended mass and Will and Emma participated in the pageant as a camel (Will) and an angel (Emma).  It was a beautiful mass and very meaningful. By the time we got home, it was time for bed so Santa could stop by.  As we were saying our prayers, John and Jacki arrived and everyone got excited all over again.  The birds finally went to sleep and Jacki and I got down to the business of beating the guys at Euchre.  HA!  I just love it when John looses.  We stayed up way too late, but had a great time playing cards and catching up with John and Jacki. 

Emma was the first one up at 6:00ish.  Thank goodness, we made the rule that the first one up could not wake the other siblings.  Poor girl just couldn't stand it though. She kept going back and forth between our bedroom and the living room with updates as to what she saw.  FINALLY, Will and Jack came down around 7, with John and Jacki following. Then, it was time for the fun to begin.  Will got the Tribot that he desperately wanted.  Emma got the Barbie house that she asked Santa for 100+ times.  And Jack got the much wanted Batman computer that he wrote to Santa about.  The only disappointment was no candy cane underwear for Jack. Evidently, the elves didn't have any small enough for him!  Thankfully, Jack wasn't too phased by this.

We had a relaxing morning with breakfast casseroles and mimosas, then played in our jammies into the late afternoon.  Finally, we decided to shower and get dressed so we could go out and enjoy the beautiful day. I believe it was nearly 70 degrees that day. Nice enough that we didn't need coats, took a walk through the neighborhood, jumped on the trampoline and had a bonfire with s'mores after dinner.  Does it get any better than that?! 

We had a beautiful Christmas and feel very blessed that we were able to share it with at least some of our family.