Here it is, the Christmas post, with all it's present laden glory. Actually, there will be a second post of pictures I think.

We started the celebration a little early, after dinner on Wednesday night. We were informed by a little elf from Missouri that one certain box had some Christmas themed pajamas which would look great on Christmas morning. So we opened that up before baths, and the kids wore the warm flannel PJs to bed.

Then we had to get the cookies and carrots out on a plate for Santa and his reindeer. Done.

Onto Christmas morning. Thankfully, the kids slept until about 7:3. Then David came in, scooting into bed right next to Julie, and laid there for about 30 seconds. Then he jumped up and ran down the hall. THUMP THump thump went his feet on the floor. Followed shortly after with thump thuMP THUMP. "Mommy, Daddy, the cookies and carrots are gone!"

THUMP THump thump....thump thuMP THUMP. "And the stockings are full! Come on, get up!"


So we got up, and David was standing guard next to the Christmas tree, all jumpy and hoppy. Julie went in to wake Isabelle, who grunted, "I'm tired. I didn't sleep enough, but I guess I'll get up anyway." A few minutes later, she was up, and inspecting her stocking stuffers.

Then, of course, was the tree. Or should I say, all the pretty boxes under the tree, and tucked behind the couch arm a little bit? Sometimes, just ripping open presents is the best part. Sometimes, it the actual gift. Isabelle and david were very happy about this fine morning, and had some shortbread cookies as a pre-breakfast snack.

Later that morning, Grandma Jeanne, Aunt Susan, Uncle Greg and Aunt Joan came by for a Christmas brunch, and a whole lot more presents! And a whole lot more fun! David and Isabelle were great helpers at passing out all the presents for everyone. They were also very good at helping to tear apart more presents. And we never have enough batteries, but the kids still had lot of fun with the new toys, especially a talking dinosaur, and a set of mini 4X4s.