The Best Christmas Ever

This year had to be the best Christmas for the kids - hands down. They really got the idea of Santa Claus, and "tried" to be good for the weeks leading up the Christmas. It helped that we had a Christmas Elf (many thanks Aunt Debbie!!) living in our home, who flew to the North Pole every night to report on the days activities to Santa. On more than one occasion, I would find Emma or Jack sitting and talking to the elf - usually about something bad the other one had done! Sometimes, when they were arguing, all it would take was a quick, "Shhhhh!" and point to the elf to get them to stop. Trying to figure out if we can figure out something similar befor the Easter Bunny's arrival!

We managed to make it up before the kids and get the video camera ready. Emma started running down the hall, smiling as big as she could, and ran straight to daddy, before even looking under the tree to see if Santa came. Jack, in his usual slow awakening speed, meandered down the stairs and asked, "Mommy, was I good?" I said, "I don't know, Jack, I think so!" He ran into the living room, passed right by the Millenium Falcon on the ottoman, and ran straight for the box (which is the only thing he had seen in the store when we tried to gauge his interest!) Later, he gave the best line of the day, "I guess I WAS good!" ;-)

Emma was very pleased with her princess castle, and especially with the addition of a prince to make her princesses honest women finally. She got a Lite Brite (my retro gift of the year), which she had seen a few friends open, and quickly responded, "Oh, I don't want this" LOL I guess you can't win them all!

We were lucky enough to have Bruce & Marie here from UT to spend the holidays with us. Jack & Emma have missed their Papa & ReRe.


We had a great time that evening with family, and hosted an Italian buffet for 25. It was great to see everyone and we all had a great time.

Also, a big thank you to the Likins clan for the train set. That has been a big hit all season. We surrounded it with a lighted village that my grandmother gave to us, and put it next to the Christmas tree. Jack loved to be the engineer, while Emma put all her little critters on the flat car for a ride around the tracks.

We still can't believe that we will have a crawler next Christmas! Baby Grace was kicking away all morning, enjoying all of the commotion. I kind of enjoyed having real ornaments on the tree for the first time in 4 years, so we will have to figure out how to get them back on next year, too! We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and loved all our Christmas cards!

Santa Claus is Coming To Town (Emma is 4th from left, Jack is far right)

Closeups (Jack is far right, after scroll Emma is 3rd from left - and quite animated!)

It's a Christmas Miracle!

Emma has wanted nothing to do with Santa Claus since she has been born. Even this year, when she was excited to go to the mall and ask for her princess castle, she chickened out at the last minute and made Jack go it alone. She yelled to Santa what she wanted from the safety of daddy's shoulders. We had a Christmas party at school on Friday and Santa made a special appearance. I guess she felt safe enough to stand next to him, and even manage to look happy about it, but still wouldn't get on his lap. Jack is showing his usual restraint.

Their party was a lot of fun, and we got to listen to the class sing a few songs and then have treats. Not sure what we are going to do with them for the 2 weeks they have no school, but as their Papa and ReRe are on their way from UT right now, I am sure they will no doubt be entertained.

We hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!!