Merry Christmas 2011

I am about all Christmased Out!  I worked Christmas Eve & then came home to eat dinner & get the kids ready for church.  I sent them with my parents so that I could go to midnight mass later.  While they were gone, I took a nap & just like every other year, Santa came while they were at church!  I was awakened by a very excited 6 year old informing us that our stockings were full.  

 After Church, posing by the tree.  Santa brought Rachael a Dora Tennis Racket & a telescope.  Daniel got the fire engine he wanted & a radio flyer scooter, which he's downstairs scooting around on now!

 Every year, the first gift they open is matching pj's!  Don't they look cute in these?!

 Now here are the kids this morning...they opened some presents Christmas Eve & the rest Christmas Morning!  Below are the kids with a Chuggington Movie, Chuggington book for Rachael's V-Reader, Storybook Collection & Dora book, all from Daddy...he doesn't know it, but he bought perfect presents!!!   ;)

We went to my brother's house for Brunch this morning.  Here is a picture of us before we left.  What a brown Christmas!  It felt more like Easter than Christmas, no snow & just a tiny bit chilly.  Are we in MN still?!

My brother Bobby

The kids watching a video the boys got for Christmas, 

on Billy's new tv!

Grandma & Boppa with their grandkids, 

except little miss Cecelia, who is in Greenbay.

Tommy (5), Rachael (6), Daniel (3), Billy (8)

waiting patiently to open presents

Billy's new game!

Daniel got Mator Golf!

 Boppa & Grandma got a picture frame

of all their "Little Elves" in matching

Elf Pj's...Boys in One Set 

& Girls in another! 

 Rachael got a train a puppy 

Tommy J. got the Trash Pack Garbage truck & Trashies...I have NO IDEA what they are, but I did wait in line to get them for him...they were a hot item this year!

It was a really good Christmas...just exhausting.  I've been told with time it will get easier to celebrate holidays with someone missing.  This year was certainly easier than last year, but it is still tough to put on a happy face & feel "celebratory" knowing Christmas, nor any other holiday, will ever be the same.  


Merry Christmas to all & to all a Good Night!