On the Nice List

I'm not sure what's more daunting, the Christmas season or trying to get all your pictures and stories on the blog.  So here goes my attempt to include all the Christmas festivities and cheer that we enjoyed this year.

First things first, Carter LOVED Christmas this year.  He made me love Christmas a lot more than normal too.  We had so much fun with our tree decorating, watching Christmas movies (Dr. Seuss' Grinch, Charlie Brown Christmas, and Polar Express were his favorites), dancing to Christmas tunes, baking cookies for Santa, and reading Christmas stories.  He really understood the whole Santa thing and he also took an interest in religion class when he heard that Christmas was really a big birthday party for Jesus!  Mia also had a wonderful Christmas although I'm not sure she really noticed it being much different than any other day (minus the truck loads of presents and food).  She was her happy-go-lucky self as always.

We started the official celebrating with a trip to Traci Pries' house the weekend before Christmas.  Grandpa and Grandma B. were home from Florida and we were able to spend some nice time with them and Traci's, Susan's, and Mike's families.

Carter and Dave checking out Carter's new "car in a car"

  Mia and Grandma taking a break from all the presents

Fast forward to Christmas morning for the next round of presents, food, and fun.  Carter actually woke up at a decent time and was literally jumping down the stairs to see if Santa left him any presents.  He was so excited when he saw the pile of presents and his stocking full of goodies. 

Santa actually filled this gigantic stocking to the brim!

Checking out the stocking goodies

"A car I don't have!"

Peek-a-boo!

After the stockings we dove into the presents under the tree.  Mia did pretty well ripping the paper off her presents (with some help from her big brother). 

Lots of good assembling by Daddy

Here's Mia walking behind her new baby doll and stroller combo

After everything was opened and assembled, we cleaned up and started getting things ready for Grandpa and Grandma J., Grandma Webb, Uncle Josh, Uncle Mark, Kathy, Max, and Grandpa Mike.    Everyone came over in the afternoon and we enjoyed more present opening and tons of food.  A new member of the family also joined us, Uncle Josh's new puppy, Dozer, who is only 3 months old.  He is the sweetest little guy and the kids (and grownups and dogs) absolutely loved him. 

Grandma Webb and Mia enjoying some play time

Leapster carrying case!

More assembling!

Dozer was hard to catch sitting still...this is the best I could do

Carter's cool tent with a tube - both kids LOVE crawling through the tube.

Playing peek-a-boo in the new tent

Here's Mia posing for the opening credits of the next James Bond movie, "007 Baby"

Thank you to everyone for a wonderful Christmas.  It was a special first Christmas for Mia and we really appreciate all the awesome presents for the kids.  We can't wait to celebrate a late Christmas with the Heinrich's and Grandpa and Grandma B. eight days from now down in sunny Florida!!