Christmas

When we are in town for Christmas we have found this house all decked out for the holidays that we like to go visit. On the 23rd and 24th of December they give out free train rides around their yard. We got the kids all excited to go and then when we got there found out that they weren't giving rides this year. We were a little bummed out until our friends came and then we just went over to their house for the night and the kids forgot completely about the train ride. It was still a fun house with lots of lights and a dancing Santa. I don't like to cook. It makes a mess and it seems like it never comes out right or how I want it to. Dave wanted to have a big Christmas dinner with friends but I just wasn't up for doing two nice dinners. So we decided to go to Macoroni Grill for Christmas Eve dinner. Everyone in our family likes the food there so we knew it would please everyone. It was fabulous. I thought we would be the only ones there or there with all the single dads and kids( like on the Santa Claus movie) but we weren't. It was getting busy, I was surprised. That may be a new tradition for us.

Then we came home and opened the traditional pajamas. The kids were extra good and got slippers too. They love the slippers. Ben zooms around in his saying he is a rocket ship since they have buzz lightyear on them.

so cute

Then came Christmas morning. The kids are really starting to get in to Santa Clause. Siena wrote a letter to him and he wrote back. We left cookies and milk for him and the reindeer and we tracked Santa all day on the internet to see where he was. It was a lot of fun. Apparently the kids were really good because he brought a stash for them. What lucky kids!

Siena is always stealing our camera and I wanted to buy her a real one but I didn't want to spend the money on a real one. Looking through old electronics a couple weeks ago we found one of our old ones. I was so excited! I think this is the one we had as newlyweds but it has everything that she needs. So now you might occassionally see some pictures from Siena on our blog. She has already gone through one set of batteries.

The kids were so good and patient with one another. I imagined a mess where the kids wake up and go downstairs by themselves and tear open all the gifts before we get there but they all took turns opening gifts and it took a long time for us to finish them all. They even sat for a little while and ate some breakfast before we opened the stockings and presents. They loved taking time and playing with each one. It made for a very relaxing morning.

It was a Toy Story and Transformer Christmas for Ben. He was so excited Siena gave him his favorite gift. BumbleBee the transformer. We had no idea transformers were for such young kids but Ben loves them. We went to McDonalds a couple weeks ago and got happy meals. Bens came with a transformer and he has been hooked on it ever since. He carries it everywhere. Christmas Eve we showed him a couple minutes of the Transfomer movie and he loved it. It is so funny to me. My little boy is growing up and into action heros.

Siena got Jessie the Cowgirl and Bullseye from Toy Story and Barbie dolls of Rupenzel. She is in love. I am glad the kids are so easy to please. She also got a big stash of craft/art projects. She spends hours downstairs creating things. Here is a jewelry box that she can decorate. She is so excited.

Santa left Ben a Buzz and Woody race car set. You shake the cars and they race all around. It took him a little bit to understand how to do it but he know now and loves it. He also got a Lightning McQueen one from his cousins that he can use on the track. It is a fun toy.

It was a fun holiday. As usual we all went overboard and have everything we ever would want and need. Dave bought a lot of stuff for himself for his t.v. and sound system and such. I got him a lot of tools and garage stuff so we can get some projects done. I received some fun sewing things and kitchen gadgets and some money to go shopping to decorate this house. It has been fun. We are very blessed and had a great day together as a family.