A White Christmas!

As with a lot of families in the Midwest, our Christmas plans were changed because of the weather. Although we loved waking up to a blanket of snow, we were sad that my family (including Kyndal) weren't able to make the drive here to spend Christmas Day with us. This is the first year in Kyndal's life that I haven't spent Christmas with her. I was very sad, but there was nothing we could do about the weather. So she got the opportunity to spend the day with her dad.

The kids got up around 8:00 a.m. with lots of hugs and a "Merry Christmas" and we ran into the living room to see what Santa brought! Since it was just the five of us this year, we took turns opening our gifts so we could enjoy them more.

After about an hour this is what our living room looked like.


And this is what everybody got for Christmas from Santa.

Of course the Pink Nintendo DS and orange kitty were Brynne's favorite gifts. She also got a Tag Reading System, some Days of the Week underwear, a cd and DS game, lots of little goodies and an abacus (yes I know that sounds weird, but she loves to add.)

Eli has played all day with his new blue DS, and his Uno Moo game, and his Hot Wheels, and has watched his America's Funniest Home Videos dvd about 5 times. He even got to wear his new snow boots and gloves today!

Dawson said this was the best Christmas he's ever had! He got a full drum set, some cool necklaces, a DS game, a Hurley coat, an Element beanie and wallet and some Kiss rubber duckies (that I picked up at Rick's company party Dirty Santa exchange.)

Rick and I always have so much fun opening our gifts from each other, and from the kids. I'll spare you the photos of us, though!

Mama got the crock pot she's been wanting, a new cutlery set (that I broke in today), some homemade gifts from the kids, some gloves from Dawson, a hefty Hobby Lobby gift card, a "potpourri" of kitchen utensils and such (much needed and appreciated!) a magazine subscription to Southern Living, and a couple of cool t-shirts.

Rick got lots of photo gifts this year. I had a photographer come to our house and take some professional portraits of me that I had made into a collage. He loved them! I also had a collage made of pictures of the kids and a personalized calendar for his office. He also got his usual pjs, gourmet green olives, a new beanie, socks, the Glee soundtrack (we love that show) and a magazine subscription to Golf Digest, and an OSU visor from Dawson.

After the gift explosion, the kids bundled up in the 19 degree weather and went out to play (briefly).



The kids played all day, and I snuck in a nap. Rick cleaned up and I spent most of the afternoon working on dinner. We had turkey, homemade dressing, broccoli-cheese rice casserole and rolls. It was yummy!

We had such a nice day together as a family, probably one of the nicest and most relaxing Christmases ever.

We're heading to Missouri tomorrow to see my family, and to see Kyndal (who I have missed.)

Right now Rick and I are sitting on the couch watching Elf.

Merry Christmas!