Christmas Day and after

The kids gave us one of the best gifts parents of young children could ask for...a long night of uninterrupted sleep (12 hours, to be exact!) We had to actually wake them up at 9AM to get the day started, but once the ball was rolling, it was all excitement and wonder til they collapsed late that night. We also had a family gathering at Aunt J's and another meal at Grandma's house where J got a very special surprise.

This is the last Christmas post...I'll have the newsletter posted (hopefully) tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by!

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J had been telling everyone he met for the last month that Santa was bringing him a 'bug collection'... ladies in restaurants, men at the mall, whomever happened to call on the phone...EVERYONE knew what he was getting for Christmas. Santa didn't disappoint!

More bugs...

Oh, that, and a pirate ship! L was thrilled with her Sleeping Beauty dress.

She also had asked Santa for a sing-along CD player since she is our little lark.



M got his race track and lots of other car and sports-related gifts.



And Mommy got to hug her 3 favorite elves. What more could you ask for?!



Santa remembered Mommy, Daddy and even Sophie, too.




We headed to Grandma's for dinner...J brought along his remote-control bug and L spent time with Great-Granny at the big-girl table.



Pop Pop got the trains running. This year, the kids were much more capable at the controls.

2 nights later, we had a full-family gathering at Aunt J's. More trains!

L found a cozy spot with a favorite friend and M hung out with Daddy and Pop Pop.

Great-Granny was in her glory...all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in the same house!

2 nights later we headed back to Grandma's for a smaller dinner and gifts. The 2 doxies got to dress up for the occasion as well.

L got a horse to match her Sleeping Beauty doll and M got more...balls!

And last, but not least....J's surprise was a real Betta fish. He named him 'Flipper.' At least for this week :-)

See you in 2009!