Merry Christmas 2010

We began Christmas Eve early with two batches of cookies. Oatmeal raisin chocolate chip and pumpkin spice.

After the baking we got dressed and went to the movies. We saw Yogi Bear (silly!).

After our return home there was some pretend napping going on. The "napping" was near the Christmas tree so that the "nappers" could snoop through the gifts.

Aunt Diane and Uncle Ted sent us another gingerbread house this year. Actually this year it was a ski lodge.

This is the before shot.

After sharing the lodge with our church friends at the Christmas Eve program...

this is the after shot. I can not watch the chaos but I know the kids have a wonderful time dismantling the house each year.

Then it was back home to get ready for Santa.

We left Santa's goodies on the Fred Plate this year. The goodies included carrot hair, cookie ears and a chocolate covered raisins beard.

Lin-Ley also left Santa a note of reminders. We tried to tell her it was too late to make any changes but she insisted.
Just for the record Mommy wanted a jet booster for our well so that we would have better water pressure.

Posing for a few more photos before bed. (And snooping once more through the presents from Mommy and Daddy, the grandparents and aunts, uncles and cousins.)

Jacob made his final appearance for the year. As soon as the kids went to bed Jacob made his way back to the North Pole to report to Santa.

Santa delivered his gifts. As usual, in our family, Santa delivers only three gifts to each of the kids. Lin-Ley requested Furr Real friends and cowgirl boots. Santa threw in a rainbow maker as well.

Although there are many other gifts under the tree, Santa's gifts (even though he only leaves three) always make the biggest impact.

Tru did not have any requests this year other than a video game. Santa brought him a marble maze, Light Bright and of course a Leapster video game.

Note To Santa:
Dear Santa,
When the box says assembly required please investigate further. Your helpers did not appreciate finding out (at 10PM on Christmas Eve) that the marble maze instructions (located inside the box) stated that the assembly may take 4 -6 hours!
Love,
Mommy

Christmas morning began around 7AM and the kids were thrilled. Even Five-O enjoyed opening her gifts.

Tru loved his video game.

The marble maze (which took a record 2.5 hours to assemble) was a huge hit!

Today, at church, Lin-Ley and all of the 1st-7th grade children sang during the Adult Worship Service.
Lin-Ley is in the second row, center with a red top.

Mercy and Lin-Ley at rehearsal.





















Because Dallas has to work on Sundays I taped their performance:

Always ready for a photo opportunity.

Our little Christmas Angel.

A FEW MORE CHRISTMAS PHOTOS FROM DISNEY WORLD:

Christmas Weekend Quotes:

* Christmas Eve -
Tru:  "Do you hear that sound?"
Dallas, Jody and Lin-Ley:  "No."
Tru:  "Do you hear it now?"
Dallas, Jody and Lin-Ley: "No."
Tru:  "Oh.  It must be God calling me."

*Christmas Morning -
Tru opens a gift (a game) from Mommy and Daddy, looks at Mommy and says,
"Oh, I never wanted this game.  You can have it back."

*Bathtime Revelation -
Lin-Ley: "Mom, I decided what I am going to do when I get into college!"
Jody (thinking she had made a career decision):  "What?"
Lin-Ley:  "I am going to get my ears pierced!"

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!