Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!  

I love that our kids are still young enough to not get up too early on Christmas morning.  They woke up a bit before 8:00 and Kirstie immediately jumped up-- "Let's open presents!!"

Kirstie decided they should do their stockings first.  I remember when I was young and that was a "big decision" that my sister and I always had to think about-- stockings first or last?

Santa surprised her with this Mulan doll (Mulan is one of her favorite princesses, go figure!)  This ended up being one of her favorite presents.

The one thing she asked Santa for this year was a Sleeping Beauty barbie-- one of the last ones she needed to complete her princess collection.  And she got it!!  That was sure nice of Santa!

Another favorite present was her SuperWhy game.  She's such a smart cookie and loves learning to read, so this was perfect for her!

 Ian was pretty easy to please this year-- any form of transportation or any type of ball and he was happy!  He got this Little People airplane...

Sesame Street house, garbage truck, and characters...

and his favorite-- a basketball hoop.  Basketball is currently his favorite sport and he's getting pretty good at it.  He made the first shot that he took!

The kids were happy to help mom and dad open their presents too.  I don't think I opened up a single present this year!

  

Our kids were so cute.  When opening gifts from me and Brent, they gave us big hugs and big thanks after each one-- even though some of them were just "boring" clothes.  In fact when Ian opened each present he exclaimed, "Oh my gosh!!"  

Kirstie was thrilled to get a Strawberry Shortcake Christmas book.

 Ian loves to stand on his head. 

 Later that day it was off to Grandma and Grandpa Buchanan's house for more presents and food!

Ian got more trucks (I think he got 6 trucks in all this Christmas.-- He was thrilled!)

Kirstie got Rapunzel figurines, a princess blanket, and fingerpaints!

Two cute little cousins!

 I'd thought I'd throw in a random picture of Kristie with her make-up on.  The camera just doesn't do it justice though!

We really did have a wonderful holiday season this year.  Usually it feels good to take everything down and get rid of some of the "Christmas clutter," but this year I could've had a whole month more of Christmas at least.  It was just that much fun!  And I know the kids feel the same way-- Kirstie was upset about taking the tree down days before we even did it.  Christmas was almost two weeks ago, but at our house the Christmas songs linger on.  The kids continue to sing Up on the Housetop, Picture a Christmas, and the Polar Express.  I hope it never ends!

Merry Christmas from our family!!