Christmas Day

After what seemed like a quick nap (the night of Christmas Eve) it was Christmas morning! I was almost as giddy to watch the boys open their presents as I remember being to open my own as a kid! Before going down to open presents, we all waited upstairs in the living room until everybody was there. While waiting we pointed out to Noah that Santa must have enjoyed his cookies & milk since there were just crumbs left. He thought about that for a minute and then looked up the chimney asking where he was. I guess that he figured that Santa would be joining us for all the present opening festivities. So, we explained that after Santa brought our presents he had to leave to go bring all the other boys & girls their presents too. He seemed ok with that.

We tried to get a cute picture of the cousins in their pajamas before going to open presents. I just crack up when I look at this picture. Noah, who wants to play & pal around with Audrey (but can be a bit overbearing for her), is nonchalantly leaning his arm on her shoulder. Audrey has this disinterested look (and body language) of wanting to just be left alone. And Lincoln has the ultimate duh-look of all time on his face. Not exactly the look that we were going for with this picture, but I love it.

This Christmas for Noah was all about Toy Story & he loved it. The first present he opened was a new Buzz Lightyear costume (that has gloves, flashing lights, and wings he can put on by himself)! Next was the wrist communicatior. Noah donned both immediately after opening them, and put on quite an entertaining show for all of us...
"Come in, Star Command! Do you read me?!!"

Here I am helping Buzz Lightyear open another present while Audrey curiously stands by and watches.

Audrey is really into clothes & shoes (yes, at 2 years old) - so this doll with interchangeable clothes was a perfect choice for her (from my parents). She really concentrated as she would take the outfits on and off.

Lincoln opening his xylaphone, and Noah opening his Emperor Zurg toy (the only thing he asked for this Christmas), which was a perfect segue for his next gift...

...his Zurg costume! He was pretty excited about it, but it's a little bit too long. I found it for a steal, used online, a few months ago & bought it hoping that he could wear it next Halloween (we'll see). It is so cute & looks absolutely brand new too.

Lincoln wasn't quite as skilled at opening presents yet as Noah was (who was starting to tucker out by this point in the present opening extravaganza), but he still seemed to have a good time.

I absolutely love the expression on Lincoln's face here. He climbed up into this wagon (that we gave to him and Noah) and was balancing himself there carefully - with a bow still stuck to the back of his head. He had this impish grin as he stood there being so proud of himself, and he just looked from person to person waiting for somebody to tell him how cute he was.

This "space ranger" helmet that my parents gave to Noah is super cool! You can talk into a microphone inside it, there's a button that opens the visor, and there are buttons that you push that say things too. A perfect gift for a Buzz Lightyear idolizer :)

Somehow the stocking got saved for last this year. Here's Noah sifting through his...

Audrey and Noah chillin' in the wagon while Noah sorts through his new candy.

Lincoln's favorite item from his stocking...

I loved seeing my two boys hang out in the wagon (and I have to mention, again, how much I love ksl.com classifieds! you can get some of the best used stuff there for super deals!!) I like how this wagon has these seats that flip up to lean back against...as well as seatbelts & cup holders! Fancy schmancy!

That evening we headed up to Mark's parents house to celebrate with them. We had a relaxing evening there, and stayed the night there too. After the kids went to bed we even learned how to play a new (for us) card game called Spite & Malice. Lots of fun. Here is a picture of Noah opening one of his gifts from Mark's parents - a shirt that Mary brought back from South Africa with "the big five" (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo & leopard) on it.

The boys loved sitting and reading this Christmas book.



And before bedtime, Noah found this little book that he enjoyed reading with grandpa.
We had such a wonderful Christmas. Thank you to both of our parents for the thoughtful gifts, and all that you did to make things so enjoyable and memorable for us and our boys! We love you!