Christmastime Is Here

We stayed home again this year for Christmas. It was cozy and warm and sweet and totally insane. Our boys were kind of crazy but the real insanity was just the sheer number of gifts. It took us all morning, hours and hours to slowly make our way through that mountain of wrapping paper. The boys thought it was great. As usual, they were grateful for every little thing- even the socks. Everyone got things that they really wanted and needed and even some of the boys' gifts to each other turned out to be pretty thoughtful. For Marc and me, it was a little too much. So, next year we'll be aiming for something more along the lines of a Peanuts Christmas Special and a little less like a Toys 'R Us black friday commercial. At least the Nativity set was well used and loved so we didn't forget the reason for the season. Certainly our neighbors and friends helped us remember with their kind cards and treats left on our doorstep. When Bing Crosby says that he's dreaming of a white Christmas I'm pretty sure he means Christmas in North Dakota. I can't imagine anywhere I'd rather be at Christmastime.

Elijah loved his big big big big big stuffed elephant.

Tobias pretty much lived in this Ninjago shirt for days. Best present ever.

Uncle Matt and Aunt Gina sent these awesome dinosaur models.

Grandma delivered on those Star Wars boots. He wears them everyday.  

Gabe wanted to build it right away. That happened a lot. Maybe we should have let them. Then Christmas might have lasted until New Years. 

These are the traditional Christmas loot pictures. Tobias is one happy boy.

Benjamin wanted to make sure everyone saw his Minion blanket. That was his favorite thing other than his boots.

David John organized everything himself. He was really excited to get those Extreme Dot to Dot books. He even wrote Santa an extra last minute letter to remind the big guy that he really wanted those.

Somehow the elephant escaped the picture, but at least the lightsabers and "chest" set made it in. 

I don't think Gabe put that gun down all day. It can shoot a lot of darts really fast.

Okay, Gabe must have put the gun down because he played this game with the nativity pieces.

One wiseman is holding up another wiseman, an angel, two shepherds, a ram, a bale of hay, the manger, Mary and baby Jesus. Impressive wiseman.

He eventually also got the third wiseman and the donkey up there too but the other angel is a fallen angel. So sad.

Marc's colleagues always spoil him at Christmas. He got this crazy Darth Vader toaster that toasts Star Wars onto the bread on one side. It also means that bread has a light side and a dark side.... deep.

I had to include one picture of David John actually wearing the guinea pig shirt. He likes to wear it when he's hanging out with the guinea pigs. He thinks they talk to him more when he's sporting a furry face.