Christmas Day

Cambrie was the first to wake up....but not by much. In previous years, we have had to wake up the kids. This time, they got up on their own - early for them. It was fun. I went out to the family room around 6:30 to feed Cambrie. Mom came out and joined me and we were visiting for awhile. Close to 7:00 Gavin came out. He looked out of it. He wanted to know why we were "still up". I am sure he was getting ready to lecture us. I guess time is a little deceptive when it is still dark outside! We laughed and told him it was morning time and Santa had come. He got so excited. He ran back in the room to get Alyssa and Rylan and let them know Santa had come. I think they even got Mike up :).

The kids were thrilled to see Santa had brought them what they had asked for. Gavin got his "Iron Man Invincible"toy. Alyssa got her "Bye Bye Chou Chou" doll.....which she calls "Baby Chou Chou Take Places". Rylan received an Aquadoodle mat; Cambrie got a cute outfit. Santa had generously filled their stockings with goodies and had brought Dad the Dark Knight and Hellboy II DVD's. He also brought another guitar for us to use for the Wii and a protective cover for the Wii Fit. Santa is such a generous guy!

Grandma Debbie, Grandpa Lynn, Mike, and I enjoyed watching the kids get excited over their gifts. We tried to take turns opening presents and take a few moments to enjoy each one. I think we were fairly successful - but those moments were very brief! :) I was happy there wasn't any score keeping as to who got the most presents. The kids really were thankful for what they did receive and didn't show any jealousy.....a successful parenting moment for sure.

Some Gift Highlights:

Jamie--Mike and I had agreed not to buy presents. We both had purchased some bigger items in the weeks before Christmas; however, Mike surprised me and gave me the movie, "Mama Mia", some sparkling cider, and some White Chocolate Macadamia cookies....so we could have our own little date night. My mom also gave us a beautiful framed nativity picture and made us CUTE kitchen towels...one for each month of the year. I love them! Troy and Mary gave us a cute vinyl sayings set that was framed, an awesome FHE book, and the new Nursery manual. I was super excited.

Gavin--A Snapfish book of two of his own comic book creations, jeans, digital bookmark that keeps track of your reading minutes, leapster games, Box of 96 crayons (from Cambrie)

Alyssa--Rose Petal Cottage, food accessories, skirt, blouse, Sleeping Beauty dress, Candy Land Game Castle (from Rylan)

Rylan--Iron Monger toy, Micky Mouse activity book, Finger paints (from Alyssa)

Cambrie--Jumperoo (waiting for her at home) and Pajamas (from Gavin)

The kids also received a bunch of DVD's and games for the Wii they could share. We also had an art easel waiting for them at home (but they didn't know it).

We spent the day watching the new movies, playing new Wii games, napping, and eating. The missionaries even came over for dinner. We made the observation that Christmas is really over by 7:30am when all the presents are opened! The anticipation ends then, but the excitement over new toys continues.