Bits of Christmas

We started our Christmas season on Christmas Eve with Pook's family. There are 7 grandchildren on his side of the family, which is so different from mine (at least for now). G & C love spending time with their cousins and all of the other extended family. This is the first place they got to open presents (or parties, as Claire calls them). Both received something that kept their interest the rest of the night



This was fitting for Claire because just the night before, she'd slept in her pink tutu over her pj's.


I've resisted the Leapster long enough & decided this was the year to cave and let someone get him one. I figured it's better than watching TV, right?


After an evening with his fam, we headed home to finally hang our stockings. Claire actually crashed in the car, so I didn't take any pictures of Grant putting out cookies for the big guy. I forgot to leave him milk, but I don't think our Santa likes milk anyway :-).


We then settled in for an evening in the den with the ultimate Christmas movie.


The next morning, Grant woke up first, but not too early. The first thing he said was, "Merry Christmas!" His daddy almost sent him down the hall alone to check out his gifts until I freaked out because I didn't have out the video camera! Please tell me that is not the memory that will stick from this year!

Sheriff Woody was a must have this year, as were several other Toy Story items.


All Claire wanted was a baby doll. She didn't get one the night before & she was sure she would. She tried to steal her cousin's doll & stroller virtually all night. This doll was nothing special. I just picked it up to lay in the bed that I found at a consignment store for $7! It used to be a dark brown finish, but thanks to a friend, it's now white. (I'd planned on painting it myself, but they offered so I figured why not?!)

My youngest brother & Grant checking out their electronic devices.


The mess that ensued shortly after waking.


A new toy for Daddy, I mean Grant.


Big brother helping sister into her new "princess" shoes.


In true Claire fashion, she put on pretty much everything she could over her pj's. Notice below, she then changed into some of her new PJ's.


Because my brothers are all living elsewhere now, there'd been no time for the annual gingerbread house. If you read my post last week, you know this didn't bother me a bit. During the lull that is mid-day on Christmas, they took a little time to decorate. I think Claire was just there to eat the candy.


After getting duded up to go to my mom's house, Claire spotted some candy in the bottom of a gift bag from the night before & went after it.



Finally, at mom's Pook had a seat & the dog found a spot on him. We really are not dog people...like other people's dogs, but don't really want our own. This was right after we got there. Her dogs love him!

Claire put my brother to work putting together her new stroller. The whole time she was asking, "where the baby? where the baby?" notice the new panties over her outfit. I took her to the couch where she opened her bitty baby and she was happy as a clam.

Grant had another brother at work with Toy Story pop up play world. Claire ALWAYS gets in on the action too.



Blurry family pic! Poor mom just can't take one that isn't blurry!


And the next day, braving the freezing temps & wind to ride new bikes.




We were all spent after the Friday, but had tons of fun. Claire was really into Santa this year & Grant is already asking if he's real....at 4? I don't want to lie to him, so I just kind of blow it off & change the subject. I need the fun just a little longer..please! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas & are gearing up for a happy and fun New Year!!