Christmas Day

Ah Christmas!  I'm happy to report that the children didn't wake us, well, maybe me, until 7:00am, a very reasonable and civilized hour considering the holiday and the excitement level.  We got right to opening presents, and I think the children were pleased with what Santa brought.  Blythe received a Barbie jet, a huge thing with lots of little pieces that got stuck in the interior of the jet almost immediately.  Brandt got a remote control Bugati and drove it wildly around the house off and on most of the day.

Obligatory Christmas morning picture wherein none of us looks very good.

Here's Blythe with her enormous Barbie jet.  This has been at the top of Blythe's Christmas list from the beginning.  The list began with 16 items, some of which were "opshonal," and each item listed next to who would give it to her.  It was eventually whittled down, by Blythe herself, to about six things.  But this remained always at the top of the list, always from Santa.  Santa had a hard time getting one here because he discovered at the end of November that they aren't made anymore.  I'm not sure where Blythe saw one to know she had to have it, but it was going to be a real stretch for Santa to come by one.  After looking repeatedly on ebay for an aftermarket one that wasn't $400, he was fortunate enough to find one on KSL for just over 1/4 of that price.  Phew!  I think it is highly likely that this is the last year "Santa" will be coming down the chimney.

After presents, I made crépes for breakfast.  I'm always amazed at how many crépes the children can eat at a sitting.  I think Brandt had six and Blythe four.  They were delicious.  

Blythe told us repeatedly that she wanted to stay home all day, in the house, playing with her Barbie jet.  She was fairly firm on that.  I, however, was equally firm that I wanted to go over to Grandma Sue's in the afternoon and play games with anyone who was around.  Eventually, Blythe was convinced to get dressed, after I told her Makenna would be there.  We spent a good chunk of the afternoon playing, eating, and visiting with DeMartini cousins.  The kids came in and out of the kitchen, snacking on whatever took their fancy, and we left in the evening having celebrated a lovely Christmas day.