Christmas Fun!!

I LOVE Christmas. I love it the way a six year old child loves it--I am absolutely giddy with anticipation of Christmas morning, and it's only gotten worse since I've had children. I can't WAIT to see them open their gifts and enjoy their Christmas. I had a passing thought that perhaps I should have talked with Maura about not being allowed to go downstairs without her siblings, but dismissed it because she comes to our room for EVERYTHING--even to tell me when she has to go to the bathroom. I figured that she'd come dancing into our room early in the morning talking about how she wanted to go see her presents. Oh well, I was wrong! She DID come bursting into our room, but she was carrying one of Tristan's presents and yelling about how there was a HUGE present downstairs! I was a little disappointed because I wanted to see their initial reactions, but got over it quickly. I made a quick run downstairs to turn on Christmas lights and set up the video camera while Maura ran to wake up Tristan.

This is our traditional Christmas morning photo. I took a photo just like this every Christmas of my life when I was growing up. Brent didn't approve--he said I was killing the spontaneity of Christmas morning! I just figured that it was my one chance to get them all to look at me--they were going to be so distracted as soon as they got downstairs! Santa had left slippers for each of the big kids at their bedroom doors--Tinkerbell for Maura and Lightning McQueen for Tristan.

Bennett wasn't sure what to think of all the excitement--he was just excited to be there!

Initially when we got downstairs, Tristan was interested in only one thing--the video camera. He didn't notice the gifts or the lights--no he just wanted to film. Eventually, we were able to turn his attention by pointing to his pile of gifts and saying, "Hey Tristan! What is that thing with wheels?" He looked, his mouth dropped open, he pointed, then he ran over shouting, "Wook! A Scooter! A Lightning McQueen scooter!" So excited! Santa really delivered! Maura was delighted with the butterfly garden he brought her. She can't wait to order her caterpillars and watch them turn into butterflies!

Tristan was soon really into the present opening! Bennett was just into the wrapping paper. You hear people say not to bother buying the baby anything for Christmas because they prefer the wrapping paper--it's true. He cried when we took the paper away. I'm pretty sure we didn't get that kind of reaction from any of the toys!

He did seem to like his racetrack and rolling ball though!

Below: Brent took the kids to look for gifts for me this year and they picked out a pretty glass heart necklace for me. Maura was SO PROUD! She couldn't wait to give it to me! She's such a sweet girl!

I even got some sweet cuddles from my big boy--truly a wonderful Christmas gift! I rarely get snuggles from him anymore! After the mayhem of the initial gift wrapping was over, we headed to the kitchen to build up our strength with a yummy breakfast of monkey bread, sausage, eggs and pineapple!

After breakfast, it was finally time for Mommy and Daddy to open some gifts! I'll tell you about my favorite gift in a minute! Brent loved his toy soldiers, books and clothes.

Below:We waited til afternoon to open our stockings. It helped us to stretch out the day a bit and the kids loved opening all their trinkets!

Grammy, Pappap and Aunt Emily arrived in time to be present for the stocking opening. Grammy enjoyed holding onto one of the best gifts we've been given all year--Bennett William!

Maura LOVED the big present that Santa brought. Santa may not have been aware quite how BIG the castle was. The kids have really enjoyed playing with it since they received it--it has been a dragon's lair, parking garage, home for knights and Rapunzel's tower in turn since they received it!

Below: Tristan got to open all his gifts from Grammy and Pappap since he missed out the day before. I thought Maura might get jealous, but she was just interested in everything Tristan got!

THIS was my Christmas gift. Brent bought me something I've always wanted--a digital SLR camera! I was so excited. I want to be able to take the kind of photographs I've always dreamed of. I plan on taking a class so that I can do more than shoot on the automatic mode!

I enjoyed catching my kids playing with their Christmas toys and capturing the moment. The Allen family loved their Christmas!

I think Grammy, Pappap and Aunt Emily loved celebrating the day with us. We had snacks all day and a scrumptious fondue feast in the evening. We kept separate fondue pots for the Allen and Bridge clans, but despite our safeguards, my parents and sister managed to get sick in the next few days.

This is one of my favorite things about Christmas. You buy the kids tons of expensive toys and they play in the box. Maura actually guilted me into keeping this one in the house for at least a week before I went stark raving mad from the clutter and threw it out!
Below: Pappap and his boy! Tristan just had to put on the John Deere shirt that Grammy and Pappap bought him for Christmas!

Two tired parents after one exhausting day. We were both still recovering from the stomach bug and had no idea the fun that was to be in store in the next few days...Oh well, Christmas was fun anyway!