Christmas Day

We had such a lovely Christmas.  Santa found us, we got to be with family, and the children were infectiously excited.  For Blythe, this is certainly the first year she has cared or even known what was going on.  And while Brandt has been trying to work it all out in his mind, he early on figured out about the presents and has eagerly anticipated Christmas morning.  As I look back on the Christmases of my youth, I think the anticipation might have been better in many cases than the actual day.

The children didn't wake too early, but as soon as Brandt was up, he bolted downstairs to see what Santa had brought.  Whenever he was asked what he wanted, Brandt said, "I want a dump truck," and I am happy to report, Santa came through.  Here is what Brandt found.

A John Deere Gator Dump Truck.

He was super excited.  

He is saying, "Look Dad!"

It even has a gas tank.

Although Blythe was happy to see the truck, she said,

"Where my purple car?"

Santa didn't come through for her.

The fact that we only got one car was something of a problem.  Blythe has had a list of what she wants as well.  Each time she was asked she has said, "I want a purple car, a purse, a clock, a fan, and two lipsticks."  The purple car was a car like the one above, only girlie purple.  How does one get out of this sort of jam?  I told her that Santa had called and told me he wanted to give the children a car, but that there was a strict one-car-per-family rule.  The car we received has two seats, one for each child, and they would have to share, otherwise, Santa would want it back.  Blythe seemed reasonably resigned and I assured her she would get a turn to drive, just like Brandt. 

There were lots of other packages to unwrap.  As Blythe would open a package, she would say, "I got a box!"  Inside one she did find a purse, a clock (on a ribbon so she can wear it around her neck), a fan, and two lipsticks (really Chapstick which she proceeded to eat).  She also got a stroller for her baby, Fancy Nancy type dress-up clothes, including two pairs of shoes, and a new Fancy Nancy book.  

 

All decked out in her finery.  Blythe is holding the new purse and the fan is on the floor.

Brandt got a couple of books, a puzzle, and an accordion from Uncle David Davies.  Some might think that an accordion would be a horrible present, but Brandt loves it.  He has played it regularly since Christmas.  

Look at that playing. 

He's a natural.

After each package was opened, Brandt would seize the gift and stack it in his dump truck.  When he ran out of room, he drove down the hallway a bit and unloaded, then backed up for another load.  When there were no more packages under the tree, we tried to put a bit of order to the chaos.  Brandt was willing to help pick up all the wrapping paper and take it away to be disposed of.  Anything to drive that dump truck.

Surprisingly, the walls came out none the worse for Brandt's driving.

And speaking of driving, as soon as all the packages were open, we all bundled up and went out for a drive.  With Blythe riding shot-gun, Brandt cruised up and down the street, drove in circles around me and Kent, and drove into snow banks.  He did not want to get off, even as we tempted him with more presents at Grandma and Grandpa D's house.  It must feel so freeing and grown up to be in control.

 

Chasing Kent and me.

  

Brandt looks absolutely gleeful!

Kent, hailing the children who are driving up the hill away from us.

You can't tell from the picture, but both of them are looking back at us and laughing and laughing.

While Brandt is a good driver, Blythe is not.  

She had a turn but just drove into the snow.  

Three times.

We did eventually manage to corral the children and head over to my parent's for Christmas breakfast.  Just as we are with the Barri each Christmas Eve, we are with the DeMars on Christmas morning for a heavenly breakfast and present opening.  We had scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage, fruit, juice, and a selection of delicious Christmas breads.  So good.  With the excitement of more packages to open and being with cousins, the children ate little, even though it was all so tempting.

Blythe, Griffin, Brandt, and Crew    Ava, Makenna, Luke, and Blake

While present unwrapping at our house had been a bit wild, it was absolutely pandemonium at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  Eight children were ripping open presents, throwing paper, and stepping on each other and the goods.  Brandt and Blythe both wanted us to put things together for them, and I was trying to insure that nothing got lost.  Brandt got a super cool crane, some art supplies, and a Leapfrog texting game, and Blythe got a highchair and diaper bag for her baby and a small "vintage" record player, just like one I had when I was a child.  

The crane.  

It extends, it lifts, it even plays a cool crane song.

"Caterpillar power!"

I received a very thoughtful gift.  My Aunt Darlene made each granddaughter and granddaughter-in-law of Grandma Hare a lovely bracelet of beads taken from Grandma Hare's jewelry.  It is bright and colorful, and a wonderful reminder of Grandma.  I treasure it now and will for years to come when she is no longer with us.  

We spent the afternoon playing and visiting with other grandparents.  We went to see Grandma Dawn and Poppa Scott, and Grandpa George and Grandma Merlynn came to see us.  We feel so blessed to live close to family and friends, and to enjoy a ridiculous bounty.  We are rich in so many ways, especially in knowing of the divinity of Jesus Christ and being members of his church.  We have all that we need and much, much more, we are healthy, and our lives are full and interesting.  I am grateful to have a little family to love and cherish, and a bigger family to love and be loved by as well.  We did indeed have a very, merry Christmas.

The children rolling around on the floor.  

Hard to tell if they are fighting or playing.

A merry, happy Christmas family.