This year's holiday card.

But first, some adorable outtakes.

the official one

Christmas Day 2011

Christmas morning came much too quickly for two of us, and just in time for the other two. I'm sure you can guess how the house was divided. We think we only got a couple of hours sleep, but it didn't matter (too much) because there are few things more delightful than your children on Christmas morning.

enjoying some goodness from his stocking

possibly the coolest sweatshirt ever; the body and hood are lined

with super soft fleece,and the arms are lines with a silky material

Santa always has good chocolate

new "switch-switch tracks"

contents of J's stocking

what she wanted most = real bongos

possibly J's favorite gift

a tired pup, he loved the toys Santa brought for him

a fancy new bridge for Thomas and friends

Of course, we had planned to take a lot of photos and video. But by the time we actually thought about that we were too immersed in the event and as a result its not quite as well documented as we had hoped. Guess we'll just have to rely on the warm and fuzzy memories of the looks on their faces as they saw what Santa had had left them, tore through their stockings and opening their gifts. Once T had some caffeine in her she was able to take some photos though. Every year we have the best intentions of documenting those firstwondrous moments of the morning, but we are happy to have the proof of the magical afterglow.

Felicty (from Cousin Taylor) was an early Christmas gift,

she got some new clothes on Christmas from the Gleffes

sugar aftermath

B picked this book out special for J, he was excited

a new jewelry box from Gramma & Grampa,

and Santa also brought new clothes for Belle...so thoughtful

finally the trains have somewhere safe to sleep

Our stockings were full of chocolate and other goodies: B got a small color magnadoodle, a stuffed unicorn (big hit), Lulu Luck My Little Pony, Fascinating Creatures by Francis England, a pink light up microphone and some star bath confetti. C got some train tracks, wooden construction vehicles, wooden emergency workers, For the Kids Too Various Artists, and a cool toy car. Santa also brought C a roundhouse for his trains to sleep in and the trains Toby andHiro. He brought B princess dolls, just like she asked: Tiana, Pocahontas, and Jasmine; as well as several changes of clothes and some of their little friends too. For us, Santa brought a copy of Winnie the Pooh, which he says is one of his favorites and that we should read it as a family. We're really looking forward to that, now we have something to read after Hugo Cabret.

some globally inspired gifts

wooden construction vehicles

great new tunes, Santa has some good music scouting elves up there!

for T: Kiehl's, Momiji and cookie making goods

The Sandwich Swap book, B&N gift card, rainbow stamp pad, pretty box

We all got many wonderful gifts from our family, sent across the miles and very swiftly delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. With all the negative press they've been getting we think its well worth noting that they delivered all of our boxes to us before Christmas Day, which was earlier than they were expected. That was a nice little burst of holiday cheer and we are very grateful. We felt very loved.

Christmas morning muffins - Santa's favorite, we hear

wooden emergency workers

all tuckered out

Christmas Eve 2011

Every year we increase the number of gifts we have the kids open on Christmas Eve. At first it was just their gift to each other; growing up we were both allowed to pick a gift to open, and its a cherished tradition for both of us. What T quickly realized is that by spreading the gift opening over two days there was more time for B and C to appreciate and enjoy each gift, rather than rushing on to open the next one, and the next one. At first J was a bit unsure about her theory, and her motives; T is known to have little patience when holding back gifts. So its been a gradual change in tradition. But it now seems clear to both of us that this is a good thing, and its only right that each gift get its due attention, after all they were all chosen and given with love, many from relatives farther away than we would wish.

a baby doll, quickly named Aline Loopsy...and then renamed again, and again

And so this year it felt like Christmas spilled over to include both days and it was wonderful! We staggered gifts throughout the day, beginning with their gifts to each other. We cooked dinner together, stuffed shells this year instead of the usual lasagna (a much loved change). T made fleur de sel toffee and old fashioned peanut brittle (C said that is what Santa wanted this year instead of cookies), which was a big hit.

a Christmas themed Thomas w/ a candy-cane car (and plays "Jingle Bells")

C fell asleep just fine, but B had a very hard time finding sleep. She kept coming into the living room every 15 minutes asking if it was morning yet. Pretty cute. We had a long wait to begin our elves' work for the night. This year we decided to do each other's stockings as a surprise, which added an element of mystery to the night. And a flurry of last minute wrapping.

it took us ages to figure out where to put this string of battery operated lights,

finally found the perfect spot

Mr. C's (Very) Much Overdue Birthday Post

Months ago, about two...almost exactly, our baby turned three years old. We can't hardly believe it. As he gets older it becomes (a bit painfully) clear that our entire family is growing older, and quickly too. Time passes so much faster once you're a parent, everyone says so, but its still alarming when its actually happening. So back to the point...

He wanted a real party this year, probably because B had a real party for her birthday in June (our first adventure into birthday party land). Since it was so close to Halloween, we decided to do a joint Halloween/3rd Birthday party; the theme was monsters and we had all the kids and (some of the) parents dress up in costume. It was pot-luck style and there was so much good food! The weather was nice so we were able to have the party in the backyard. And the cake...so delicious! We got it from Copenhagen Bakery again, but this time we got a much smaller cake and a ton of giant Halloween sugar cookies (C's idea). He also designed and picked every element of the cake himself: blue monster with green, white and orange; chocolate cake with fudge filling and chocolate butter cream frosting. It was intense, a bold choice. But so good.

ready to blow out the candles and make a wish

His actual birthday fell on a Tuesday this year, we filled the living room with balloons and decorated with streamers. When he woke up he was in awe, and so happy. Like happy in an adorable over the top way. J took the afternoon off and we picked him up from preschool and spent the rest of the day opening gifts and playing together. We went to lunch at the pancake store, and rode trikes around the neighborhood. Yes, trikes...plural. C's big present was a new red tricycle. He also got some new train components from Pottery Barn Kids (a great deal, highly recommended), and a wooden truck with a crane piece that picks up wooden blocks (with a magnet) from Ikea. He got many, many other fun and wonderful gifts, but our heads are too full of Christmas gifts to think that far back.

such a happy birthday boy

C gave B a new Culture Club Kids doll, Celia

birthday book: Story of Babar

wooden truck with magnetic crane (Ikea)

C gave B a Barbie & Sister camping set

the PBK train set

This was the first time we celebrated a birthday at preschool. C chose chocolate chip cupcakes to take as his special treat to share and the teachers gave him Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems as a gift.

taking his new ride out for a spin

a shiny red trike, just like McQueen

too much sugar and excitement leads to meltdowns in the late afternoon