Merry Christmas!!!

Ho ho ho .... MERRY CHRISTMAS! Hope Santa found everyone this year. He found us in a big way!

Backing up a few days ... we had a blast with the Zahradnik clan on Sunday. The presents that Aunts and Uncles had taken days to pick out were opened within 20 minutes or so. It was a frenzy of wrapping paper with a few shouts of excitement thrown in. Instead of spending the whole day in the kitchen for a big meal, we all brought appetizers. Let’s just say there was no shortage of food. Thankfully, great auntie Gayle and cousin Jesse came over to help us out. :)

Monday I had to work a half day so I left dad and the kids in bed. Riley and dad made Santa chocolate chip cookies and daddy was extra thoughtful and picked up the house. Mom got home and after lunch we ALL took a nap. I think we all needed it. Here's Mr. Riley as he was sleeping ... we'll just call him Al Bundy with his hand down his pants ...

We joined some family at Kristin’s aunt and uncle’s house for dinner and good conversation. Riley, Paige and Jack provided the comedy for the night. :)

After we got home, we got our Christmas jammies on and dad read The Night Before Christmas. As you can see, Riley was good at listening ... Paige on the other hand ... um, not so much. :)

After stories Riley worked on setting out chocolate chip cookies and milk for Santa ... as well as carrots and celery sticks for the reindeer.
Then it was off to bed ... where Paige took off her pants twice and screamed (happily) for close to 30 minutes.

Mom and dad weren't sure that Santa would come ... but sometime throughout the night ... HE DID!

Riley and Paige woke up around 7 this morning. Riley ran out to see if Santa had enjoyed the cookies and milk. He had ... but he'd certainly left a mess of cookie crumbs. Not only that, but he must have fed his reindeer on the front walk ... because there were carrot and celery pieces ALL OVER! I told him that if Santa was going to leave messes at our house he wouldn't be welcomed back. :)

Riley tore into the presents while Paige ... well, Paige was more interested in the milk and cereal we'd brought downstairs for her ....

Riley was SUPER excited that Santa had listened to his requests ...

... and Paige .... was still enjoying breakfast.

Riley jumped for joy when he opened the camera Santa had brought him ....

... and Paige wondered what could be more interesting than her Kix.

Finally she decided she was sick of us yelling her name ... so she decided to join the party ...
... and discovered that this opening presents thing was a lot of fun.

The rest of the morning was spent in our jammies. Grandma Karen came over around 2:00 to check out everything the kids had gotten and stayed for a yummy (if I do say so myself) dinner.

So it's 6:00 and we have one Miss Paige who's not far from bed, a Peanut who probably won't be far behind her and a mom and dad who are looking forward to a quiet house. :) Merry Christmas to all .... and to all, a good night.