officially over

As of last night, our Christmas is officially over.  We met at Ronnie's brother's house tonight for our time with his family and, with the exception of the mysterious disappearance of his mom's keys, we had a great time.

As this time has come to a close, I can blissfully report no major addition to the toys in this house.  Most of the toys that the kids did get will either live outside (ie. D's bike and JW's basketball) or will live at someone else's house, as in the case of the basketball goal and wagon my parents gave to all of their grandkids so that they can have something to play with when they visit.  As a matter of fact, there are only two toys that the kids got that have more than one or two pieces.  One is a racetrack with r/c cars for JW. and the other is LB's new puzzle.  I think I could get used to this idea!

My Daddy and the kids with his weasel ball.

The kids on Christmas Eve in their new jammies ... a tradition in our home ... each child gets to open one gift on Christmas

Eve and it is always new pajamas.

D, the only time he'll get away with riding his new bike in the house!  Isn't he cute in his Elmo pajamas?

Meet Chrissa, LB's new American Girl doll ... she has been waiting a long, long time for this moment.

JW, with his new favorite way to annoy his sister, not to mention his mother!

Mama (aka Grandmother) and LB playing her new Jenga-like game.  They got to call it a tie because D came up and grabbed the table and you can imagine what happened next.

All in all, we had a great Christmas.  I must admit to being slow in getting into the spirit this year, but in the end it all came together.  Now, all that is left to do is take down the decorations and let life return to normal.