Christmas Week Wrap-Up

I have so much fun reading other blogs, that by the time I'm done, I don't have time to update my own. So I've committed this late hour to update this Most Wonderful Time of the Year in a snapshot update.

Monday, Christmas Eve

It's hard to believe that the day turned out to be so glorious. It was in the 70s and so beautiful we took a little hike in our local national park (walking distance from our home).
Madison and Brooke helping Ashlyn jump the stumps near the Indian exhibits

Climbing trees . . . a right of childhood.

Back at the car, there were several deer running on the hill. You can't really see them in the picture, but I thought it was pretty anyway. Not bad photos for my cell phone! I love my iphone!

We ended Christmas Eve with a nice dinner, opening of one present each and reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas . . . with all the kids in feeties! So cute and cozy.

OK - these next 4 photos are out of order, they should be Christmas NIGHT:
We got a surprise visit from the police during our family gathering at my brother Chris' house. Lil bro Steve with Grandma Carol.


Renee and Shaun (my oldest niece and nephew). Renee spent last summer in Japan, and next summer will be in Romania! She's a world-traveling wonder!.

The kids loved playing in the police car.

All tuckered out from a long day of opening presents. Check out the cool fish tanks on the wall! Real fish!

Christmas Morning

We set up the camera on a tri-pod and it was able to take pictures in intervals and CAUGHT SANTA placing the gifts in our home! AMAZING!! The kids are thrilled!

Enjoying Christmas morning

Now back at Christmas night:

The highlight for Christian has to be his long-awaited Light Saber!

WEDNESDAY

We are so happy to have Great Grandma and Aunt Dale in town from Maryland. We miss Poopsie!

We had them over for dinner Wednesday and they had a blast playing the Wii. Go GG!

Aunt Dale is completely blind, but still thoroughly enjoys playing and even wins! Go Dale! Check out the video of her at the bottom.

THURSDAY

I took the girls down to the American Girl Place for their long-awaited, much saved for experience to finally get their American Girl dolls.

The mall is spectacular with an 110' fir tree . . . larger than the one at Rockefeller.

They were VERY excited for our little adventure . . . just us girls!


At lunch with their newly acquired best friend. Brooke with "Elizabeth"
Our fabulous and somewhat extravagant lunch (complete with chairs and tea sets for the dolls).
Madison with "Julie"



Friday was a fun day of hanging out with the kids, enjoying the new toys, and making a dark chocolate meringue pie with Brooke. Madison had an all-day playdate with a friend, and Brooke was feeling left out. A little chocolate goes a long way!

SATURDAY

was another relaxing day, going to the park with cousins and seeing tons of friends there.

Getting ready for a DATE NIGHT! (Yipee) and sending Christian up to take a bath only to find moments later he didn't make it that far. He didn't even make it up the stairs!

I guess he couldn't pass up a space just his size for a little late-afternoon nap. Too funny!