Well, we survived…

The boys woke up early (6:30am) but Joel beat them to be today’s earliest riser at 5:55am.  I, personally, just wanted to sleep but duty beckoned and up I jumped to the call of motherhood.   After a fantastic breakfast of blueberry pancakes, we opened our stockings.  You would think one of us would win something – 5 Washington State scratch lottery tickets, but no, we were all big losers.  It didn’t matter because the boys were truly intrigued with their glow sticks and loved their Kazoos.  In fact, I’ve never heard a Kazoo so loudly played before as today.  Dexter really doesn’t hold back.

Anyway, it was then on to our real presents and tons of fun was had with bows and paper and gifts.  Thank you all for the great gifts.  Dexter also shared his runny nose with Nicholas so I was in charge of Kleenex duty too.  Much squealing and running around was followed by a very early and much needed nap.  Then we were off to Grandma and Grandpa French’s, so that I could get fat off of my mother’s holiday cooking.  Once again, I ate too much but boy, was it ever so good.   Instead of Laura’s tradition of cold ham for Christmas dinner (and firing up the barbecue and hanging out in the pool), we showed her how it was done in Washington – hot ham all around, frost, and sub-freezing temperatures.  We also  shared good food with my family on my mom’s side – Uncle Dick, Greg, Ann and Ann’s boyfriend Robert were all in town.  More gifts, more squealing, and at the end of the afternoon, Nicholas and Dexter looked like they had consumed way too much from the big inflatable beer mug that Ryan had given Greg in the gift exchange.  Sorry, no pictures of the beer mug, yet.

We’re back home now.  The boys crashed almost immediately.  Laura’s up in her room finishing up her last minute packing and Joel and I are attempting to find reasons not to do chores.  We really will miss Laura.  She has been a fantastic caregiver to the boys and a member of this family.  Tomorrow morning will be so very strange and sad…  I have one more Laura story to share but will wait until tomorrow.  You’ve had enough blogs from us today.

I really hope all of you out there had a magical Christmas, filled with loved ones.

Here’s a link to a photo album with some pictures of today’s festivities.  Enjoy!

Christmas 2009

Merry Christmas, everyone!  The boys aren’t quite awake yet, though I’ve no doubt I’ll hear the crib rattling and squealing shortly.  I thought I’d try and steal a couple of quick minutes to put up a few pictures from yesterday’s festivities, and wish everyone a Merry Christmas.  I was worried about trying to cram too much into Christmas Day.  I just thought it would be more relaxed and fun if we could take the day at a more leisurely pace.  Grandma Marilyn, Grandpa Carter, and Uncle Ryan obliged us by coming over yesterday afternoon and opening a few gifts early, and then staying for dinner, before Laura, I, and the boys stayed home while everyone else when off to Christmas Eve Mass.  It worked out really well.  The boys may not have understood much of anything about Christmas, but they loved the paper and the bows, the new toys, all the visitors, all the attention, and also the odd cookie or two that I snuck them.

This is Dexter’s favorite part of Christmas – a godawful singing Penguin/Snowman ensemble that their evil Grandma Zaidee sent for them last year.  Dexter will run over to where it sits (usually on the mantle), and sign furiously for “more” or “food” until we play it.  Still working on the sign for “please”, I guess.

And now some pictures from yesterday.  Dex had a bit of a runny nose, but he held up admirably.  Grandma and Grandpa French, and Uncle Ryan came over around 2:30, for some present-opening and then a fantastic Manicoti dinner courtesy of Marilyn.

We let them open their presents from Grandpa and Grandma Yates first – the boys now have their very own Recliners!  But perhaps more importantly, a piece of furniture they climb on without scaring us to death.

Grandma Marilyn played the elf.

While Nicholas *guarded* all the presents…

He sat on the ones he though especially important and worth protecting.

Dexter’s hair was a bit messed up for a horrible incident after his bath, but it hasn’t slowed him down.

I WANTED AN XBOX!!!

While Dexter was happy to sit between Laura and Ryan, working on his train.

Nic got really into the spirit of opening presents.  This one was a present to Marilyn.  He didn’t seem to make the distinction.

And when he got tired, he rested.

Katie is never ashamed to ham it up.

The (blessedly low-volumed) Elmo phones.

And after Mommy left for church, the boys had a quiet night in their P.J.s, trying to convince me to wait up for Santa Claus.

They even brushed their teeth!

And afterwards, the lights stayed on, waiting for Mommy to come home, and Santa, and Christmas Morning!

Merry Christmas!