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