Christmas 2009.

"Twas the Night before Christmas and all through our house, 
The dogs did not stir, nor did my spouse!" He he.....


Our Christmas tradition when our kids were growing up was to wake them up shortly after Midnight to open their gifts. This way we didn't have to keep yelling at them to get back into bed, like my parents did with us, and they could play until they got tired and went to bed. We would watch the kids open their gifts and play for a bit, then went back to bed and let them play. It was nice to be able to sleep in. It also made the day more relaxed and we could then spend the day visiting with family or spend time with each other. It separated the "Santa" part of Christmas from the true purpose as well.

Some of my kids keep this tradition with their own kids. We got pictures of Kaydance after waking her up to open her gifts. It took her a while to get to sleep as she was so excited. As Tiffany and Kaydance were living with us, it was easier to get pictures of her opening her presents.

Santa brought Kaydance a Large wooden doll house that she absolutely loved! Her daddy helped put it together for her.

Later that day we went over to see Jon and Bri and the kids. This is Gage. We gave him a hobby horse that when you pushed a button the horse neighed. He thought it was pretty cool. Unfortunately, Kaitlyn was with her dad and we did not get to see her open her gifts, and Kaleb was down for Thanksgiving. We sent his Christmas gifts with him when he came down for Thanksgiving.

Adelyn Grayce, opening her gift from us. 










 Kaisa looking at the Princess little tent we got for her.

We also got Gage a Basketball shoot game he could play with his daddy. 











 Bri helping Addy open her other gift from us. Ha ha, I can't remember what it was!
 










Kaisa opening her other gift from us. It was a cute little doll that sings "I'm a little teapot."  

After we were done at Jon and Bri's, we went to see Renee and Spencer and their kids. This is Pyper. I got all the older girls a Snow White DVD. I have started getting them the Disney Classics each year a new movie comes out to build their Collection. This is Pyper with her Snow White. She was pretty thrilled with this. 

 Pyper is also into computer games and Wii games. She does pretty well with them too. She has good coordination with a lot of these games. I found a game that hooked up to the t.v. and had 50 different games in the cartridge. 

 For our big Thanksgiving dinner we had met at a Church. The kids got some toys they were playing with in the gym where we set up to have our dinner. One of the things they got out was a shopping cart. Jordan had a blast with it, so I got him one for Christmas. He was just tickled with it.

Pyp

Pyper and Kaydance were just as excited about Jordan's gift and were trying to help him get it out of the box.

 We also got Hordan a tonka set that had a helicopter and police car and firetruck. And of course, like any good grandparent does, we made sure it made noise! 

 My little buddy, Ashton.  I think this is a soft stuffed dog....

We also got him nesting cups, the stacking rings, and a shape ball for eye-hand coordination.

Ashton playing with the stacking cups.

 Jordan playing with his fire truck.

After a long day, back at home, trying to relax. Kaydee played with Abby for a bit, poor Abby!