Survival of the fittest.

I am pleased to say we survived another Christmas.  We had a small stressful-kids-get-a-grip moment but over all everything went well.  For me it was less stressful than in years past, which is a good thing. I don't know if it was the fact we limited the amount of presents we would get or the extra space or a combination of both that helped but either way I LOVED it.

Christmas eve we opened up or new pajamas, had a warm bath, acted out Luke 2 as a family, sang Silent Night, said prayers and got the kids to bed without much trouble. It was nice! Santa was able to visit earlier than usual and get a good nights sleep too.

 

Christmas morning Andrew was the first awake at 6:45 ish, shortly after Benjamin got up and did some quiet visiting with us.  Then he went down the stairs to tell the girls that Santa came because (amazingly enough) they were still asleep.  After the girls groggily came up the stairs we inspected the cookie plate, our stockings and presents that mysteriously appeared in the night.  Then everyone picked their spot on the rug and we eagerly ripped open our gifts.

Santa brought Rachel and Hannah glow pets (just like they asked - though they shouldn't be called glow pets but more like bright light pets). He also brought Benjamin 2 Spider-man gloves that shoot 'real' webs and Andrew got a fun tractor animal sound toy.  Ed-the-Elf brought each of them the movie they asked for too.  Then we exchanged our gifts we got each other.

This year we decided to draw names for presents.  You were in charge of getting & wrapping a gift for the person you got, but you couldn't spend more than $10.  It was so much fun to watch the kiddos thinking of one another.  They had fun picking out a present for someone else too, and totally want to do it again - which we will do.

Marc got Andrew a little drum.
Mommy got Benjamin a jar of pickles (which he was ecstatic for, he has been asking for pickles for awhile), a new sweater, church socks and gloves.
Rachel got Hannah a stuffed My Little Pony doll.
Benjamin got Rachel a nail kit for decorating nails (which she had fun doing with her cousins later that day).
Hannah got mommy a new pair of P.J.'s.
Andrew got Daddy face lotion, an awesome pair of gadget scissors for the 72 hr kit, and beef jerky of course.

We also got the kids headlamps in their stockings and some other traditional stocking-stuffers.

      

After a yummy breakfast of Breakfast pockets (seriously the yummiest and easiest creation EVER) - or of pancakes and pickles (like Benjamin had.....) we got ready and headed down to grandma and grandpas for some cousin time. But not before Benjamin got to test out his Spider-man glove - outside.

I must insert a funny story here though.  As I was assembling his Spider-man glove I  some how set off the silly string web and shot Benjamin - who just happened to be sitting in front of me - right in the chest, face and then over his head at the dining room chandelier.  He sat there mouth wide open in shock.  I was shocked too. I think everyone was because for a moment in time there was silence.  Then we all burst into laughter.

So now, on to Grandma and Grandpas.

   

We had a great time - as always - being with family.  We exchanged gifts, read books, played, laughed and ate.  A perfect day.  Oh and Hannah stayed dry the entire time.  She made it to the potty for #1 & #2!!  We were all thrilled and by we I mostly mean me, Hannah, grandma and grandpa.  She has been dealing with some allergies that we can't figure out and they manifest themselves as diarrhea so the fact that there were no accidents is AMAZING!!! Best Christmas gift ever.

   

Oh and um Santa decided that we should get in better shape so he bought Marc and I some pedometers to help us improve our every day habits.  He also brought us the game Twister.  Now how is that a work out you ask?  Well you try playing when you are older, less flexible and well older.  Then you will TOTALLY understand.