2008 Christmas Post

Man, we've had a really fun holiday! We were really able to stretch our Christmas out this year, which was nice. We started the weekend before Christmas by driving up to see Rick's family. The kids have never been to Grandmommie and Granddaddy's house (Caroline has, but she was too little to remember), so we thought it would be fun for them to go see where the other grandparents live. We had a really fun time with them, and enjoyed seeing some of our cousins, too!

Caroline's anxiously waiting for Daddy to open her Cinderella Barbie - she loved this gift!

Thanks cousin Aidan!

Grandmommie finally got her album of our celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary!

She knew she was getting this, and every gift she opened she thought this was what it was - so funny! Great job putting this together, Jan!

Daddy helping Caroline open her doll house from Grandmommie and Granddaddy - this thing was massive. I can't believe it fit in the car for the drive home considering we had LOTS to take home.

Eric napped through the present opening, so he opened his afterwards. Here he's opening a "Cars" book which he loved.

Most of you know it takes Caroline a little bit to warm up - she's a little shy at first. I was suprised when she agreed to put on her "dress up" princess outfit. Adorable.

Pretty princess.

Eric loved this little dog figure on this bookcase and would just kiss it and say "Awwww."

Caroline seeing the dollhouse from Grandmommie and Granddaddy after Daddy put it together. Didn't I tell you it was HUGE? At least the barbie dolls have a place to have their tea parties now....

Eric getting in on the action

We decided to try to go to the Christmas Eve service at our church. After much stress that Caroline wouldn't even put on her Christmas dress, we somehow managed to talk her into putting it on for church. We loaded up and headed to the service. We did okay during the singing, but once it was time for the story (it was a children's service, so they acted out a story) we fell apart. Rick was going to take Eric to the foyer to walk around (since all he wanted to do was play on the steps), and I was going to try to stay in the service with Caroline to watch with the other kids. She would have none of it, and wanted to go with Daddy - by herself. I scrambled to gather up all our gear and get out of there before she threw an all out temper tantrum because I was coming with her. After trying to just stand in the back to watch a couple of times, we decided it was time to load up and head home. We drove around a little and looked at Christmas lights on the way home.

Once we got home, we ate some chili, opened Christmas jammies, and decorated some cookies for Santa.

Success! We managed to get Caroline in her Christmas dress after all. Eric has a sweater that goes with her dress, but it was so warm, we didn't even bother to put it on him.

Decorating cookies for Santa

I think Eric may have gotten a couple of sprinkles close to the plate of cookies.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas morning we woke up and opened gifts just with the four of us. We were up by 5:30 a.m., but it was so much fun. My parents ended up coming over around 8:00 to hang out, and eat yummy sticky buns, breakfast casserole, fruit salad, and mimosas. We had a lazy morning and then went out to see what Santa left in the backyard after breakfast.

Playing with the toys Santa brought

The infamous "puppy slide" Caroline's been wanting Santa to bring her for the past three months

Santa brought Eric a choo choo train

Playing on the swing set he left in the backyard - so fun!

Thanks Michael and Melissa!

The day after Christmas, we got together with my parents and brother and sister-in-law for dinner and more presents. It was a nice, low-key evening and we enjoyed everyone's company.

Playing with the tool bench from Mommy Fish and Buggy

Safety first!

Eric spent most of the evening opening presents - whether they were his or not.

Cassie, Ryan, and Mommy Fish

Buggy, Daddy, and Eric chillin'