And we're...DONE!!!

This was the first time in 10 years that we have celebrated Christmas at our own home just with our family. While we definitely missed our family it was nice to have a low key, relaxing Christmas that we didn't have a lot of running around and traveling to do.

We started the celebrations off at our friends house for a nice Christmas Eve dinner. Hence Tommy getting drunk on his Martinelli's.

This is the only picture of me for all of Christmas (lovely, I know)...I guess I needed to prove I was actually there. Point proven.

After we had a nice dinner and played a bit we ended Christmas Eve watching Luke II. I love how the little girls are all piled on Tommy.



That night Santa had come and eaten our special treat: milk and cookies of course, and Tommy convinced the girls that Santa would love a Slim Jim this year...you know what..he was right...Santa gobbled it down and left the trash as proof. I guess he was in a bit of a hurry.

Alli's Santa gift this year; a reindeer collar (those were in high demand with her friends this year) a penguin Webkinz, which was retired (Santa must have really worked some magic to get that thing) and a sweet bike that I forgot to take a picture of, but it came complete with handle bar tassels. This year Alli also left a little card for Santa with questions about him, such as when his birthday is, how old is he and how old is Rudolph. Santa was nice enough to take a little extra time from his hectic night to leave a note for Alli answering all of those very specific questions, so I guess Alli is an expert on Santa now.

Claire has been asking for Heely's for two years now, Santa has finally obliged to the request along with her mothers request of some safety gear to protect her noggin. She has been dillegently trying to figure those things out...I'm sure it will come in no time for her, she has a knack for that sort of thing.

Last year Santa brought Alli and Claire both Nintendo DS' and I think Ainsley felt a little left out. That was all she could think about asking for this year and her wish was granted. She has been hauling it around with her all week long and I think she is pretty happy to be part of the Nintendo crowd.

Santa was good to Rainier for his very first Christmas; he brought diapers...what any 3 month old dreams of and a nice attachment for his car seat to keep him entertained. Oh but wait there was more...of course a Star Wars storm trooper...the other thing a 3 month old always dreams of.

And then the obvious began....

the tearing open of presents....

and checking out the goods.

And the aftermath of Christmas joy.

It was a nice gloomy day to spend inside watching movies, staying in jammies and hearing the girls happily play with all of their new goods. I couldn't have asked for a nicer day.