Christmas 2009

On Wednesday evening we went and saw Princess and the Frog.  Overall, it's a good movie.  Liked the story but could have done without the voodo, magic, shadow guy throughout.  The kids were not scared, they knew it was pretend but us knowing it's significance gave that aspect of the movie two thumbs down.

Thursday evening was spent with family.  Our Christmas Eves are pretty low key.  The gang comes over here for a quick dinner and then we head to my parents and sisters church for their Christmas Eve service.  Then it's home to open one gift.  It's always jammies although the kids act surprised each year they open them. 

Usually the kids are the only ones to get new jammies, but I love how my sister gets the whole family new jammies so this year we started that tradition too.

It was then time to set out cookies for Santa and reindeer food for the reindeer

It wasn't even 7:30 (their normal bedtime) and Maddy was saying "I think we better go to bed...isn't it time to go to bed yet??"  They fell asleep in the blink of an eye that night and were up bright and early (Maddy 7:30, Bryson 8:00)

All because of this of course!

Maddy spotted her "American Girl" first and opened that. 

That smile has not yet come off her face and that doll (she renamed her Emily) has not left her side.  All day long Emily sat right next to Maddy.  And, actually it has been that way since Christmas.

Maddy is well aware of the fact that it's a Target form of the doll.  She does not care.  And really the only complaint I have is the hair.  The Target version of the doll has typical doll hair (like a Cabbage patch doll) and the real American Girl dolls have wig hair.  Not enough of a complaint to fork out $80 to have the real deal but it is kind of annoying.

Bryson was pretty funny when opening his presents.  He'd take just enough wrapping paper off to see what was underneath and then move on to the next.  It didn't take him long to find his batcave.  All the wrapping paper came off of this one!

Both Jeff and Bryson have had fun playing with that.

We took the morning slow, playing with our new toys (I got a Slice.  Thanks babe! :D) and then headed over to my parents house for another round of gift opening.

(notice Emily to Maddy's right...waiting to open gifts with her :D)

My aunt sent the kids giftcards to Toys-r-Us and McDonalds so they can have a special day of shopping and lunch out.  Maddy liked this idea.

I love to see reactions like this when the open gifts! 

Not only did my parents once again spoil the kids, they also once again spoiled Jeff and I.  Thanks so much Mom and Dad for all the generous gifts!  And thanks to all who spoiled the kids as well! 

The rest of the day we enjoyed a delicious Christmas dinner (thanks mom...and dad), desserts (thanks Kelly!) playing games and having balloon sword fights (thanks Beth!) .  It was a wonderful day celebrating our Saviour's birth.

This week started out a bit rough for all.  Jeff has been having a terrible week at work and to top it off hasn't felt well.  Maddy got pink eye yesterday...but we are still trying to enjoy these last few days of Christmas break and are looking forward to the SNOW forcasted for tomorrow!

 

(excuse any spelling errors.  i don't see a spellcheck button over here at blogger)