Apparently I like to make the season last.... I'm blogging about Christmas day a month late and our Christmas decorations are still all up. Well, the decorations are still up because I wasn't able to take them down until now..... and now I am so far behind that I need to catch up on other things first. I love Christmas decorations, but this is a little ridiculous!
Okay - Christmas day! It was fabulous. There is something so wonderful about Christmas morning. The enthusiasm of the kids is a huge part of that, but even without that, there always seems to be a newness or freshness or something. I think God blesses with an inner reminder of His amazing Good gift and a day filled with celebrating that.
This year Santa brought Wii rock band, High School Musical sing-along and a Madagascar driving game. Santa thought ahead to purchase games from our dear friends who left. We'd trade in these games in a heartbeat to get them back here instead, but since that wasn't an option they gave us, we're pretty happy with the games!
Then it was time for the long awaited gifts from Grandpa and Grandma Rose. Grandma (my mom) brought it with her in November, so it was sitting under the tree tempting the kids (and certain adults!) for a long time. It did not disappoint!! Lucy was instructed to be the opener of the box.
Inside was a bag for each child.
There was an awful lot of excitement over gifts, let me tell you!! Then the kids were relegated to opening gifts from their parents. Perhaps we should have started with these. Okay, okay - they liked our gifts too. Cade got a Lego train set, Mia received some art stuff, Maddy - some Vans and a sweatshirt and Lucy got clothes for her dolls and a Barbie house (also from our friends who left).
The three younger kids all opened their stockings long before Eric and I were up. Maddy, since she dwells in more humane hours like we do, dug through her stocking later as well. They all got a jar of Nutella, a chocolate "lollipop", *******
Homemade eggnog (with coke!), cinnamon buns and breakfast casserole for brunch.
Then it was time to get ready for the grand Christmas celebration. Our group was a little smaller this year - but not much. We had five families and some singles (including some of the Casa G boys) over.....with another 34 pound turkey!
As per tradition (is two years in a row a tradition?), Jake carved the beast. Someone else will have to take over next year as these wonderful friends are leaving this summer.... but I don't want to talk about that right now.
Another round of the crazy unwrapping game.... first for the kids and later the adults.
Eric had to aid in the process a little - he used a little too much tape!
Mia ended up winning the grand prize - a large bag of Sour Patch Kids.... highly valued by gringos! Not sure if it was okay for our kid to win, but hey, she didn't have any advantage!
We got the guys (Casa G) involved in the adult round. They livened things up for the all-too-considerate-and-kind crowd!
Marlo didn't get a chance (ie: didn't roll a six) for almost the entire game. Then she got two in a row near the end and wound up with the prize. None of the work and all the glory!
I just can't say it enough... while the holidays are particularly hard in terms of missing family and friends, we are abundantly blessed to have so many wonderful friends to share the season with. We are so thankful!
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