Christmas!!!

Hank was the first to awake on Christmas morning and by 7am we were all up checking on the cookies and carrot set out for Santa and the reindeer. We also found the stockings stuffed full and a stack of new presents under the tree along with a huge dollhouse.

The kids were anxious to get at it so we let them go...

Hank and Uncle Sven with his Sing-a-ma-jig (Hank's not Sven's)

Eleanor unloading her stocking

Nash got a Toy Story 3 Train

The boy's best gift - the race track (but Santa forgot the C batteries)

Uncle Sven and Hank

Eleanor got the Diggity Dog game she plays in preschool

Maddux's new Lego jammies and Lego blocks

Carolyn got a new pink Leapster! No more fighting over Eleanor's

Sven trying to master Eleanor's Bop-It

Matt got a "Duke" - the official leather NFL football. He loves it so much I even found it in our bed that night.

Nash and Charity amid the chaos

Matt got me a lot of great gifts including a tripod leftover from an old tenant and a Snuggie - I must have been really good this year!

That's what Christmas morning is all about.

On to the party across the street at Matt's parents. Hank loves his Little Einstein book.

Eleanor, Katie, Uncle Jon, Joy and Nora

After Christmas morning at home and Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa Young, we loaded up and went to Grandpa Buddy's and Jaja's. And what to our wondering eyes should appear, but two little ponies left in the barn by Santa!

Eleanor and Nash with Rusty

Rusty and Eleanor

Nash and Rusty

Maddux on Buster just before Buster decided he had had enough and gave Maddux his inaugural buck.

Strawberry checking out Hank

Carolyn, Eleanor, Nash, Maddux
(Note: Immediately upon entering the Ohlund Ranch, Carolyn stepped into the water dish. Hence the junior size small sweatpants from Aunt Hanna)

Eleanor got her first Beyer Horse!

Nash and an airplane

The boys scored an old Simon game!

A new Ken doll for Eleanor

A little Christmas double sucker action

Carolyn minus the way too big sweatpants but still donning the over the knee tube socks

We hope everyone had as happy and joyous Christmas as we did. Thank you first of all to our boy Hank for joining our family this year and also to the KC Ohlund's for making the trip to spend Christmas with us. This was without question The Best Christmas Ever!!!

Christmas Day 3 - Fri. Dec. 24th (aka Christmas Eve)

Aunt Jennifer bought Eleanor the Barbie bust for Christmas which is quite the hit. Not only did both Eleanor and Nash apply several coats of lipstick to her lips but Barbie also tricked all of us throughout the day making us think another kid was in the house. She even did some Skype'ing with Charity's dad and stepmom in Dallas imitating Charity

Tp prepare for the night's festivities we threw the kids in the big tub for a quick wash. Maddux put on a bubble beard and pretended to be Santa. Even asking if anyone wanted to sit on Santa's lap.




Matt's late Grandma Streidl was an excellent writer and poet and has her works compiled into a book called Confessions of a Sexagenarian. I thought Charity would enjoy reading her book which she did (she stayed up late Christmas Eve finishing it). Now Charity has the proper inspiration to finish her book :)
With the kids cleaned and ready (minus Hank who was getting his diaper changed) I started the cousin photo session. I was getting lots of smiles and cooperation but we quickly fizzled.

By the time Hank was ready the kids were smiled-out and Hank wasn't into it in the least.I feel lucky to have gotten a picture this good because things really went downhill fast

The KC Ohlunds - Sven, Maddux, Charity & Nash

The whole gang

The Youngs trying unsuccessfully to capture the joyousness of Christmas Eve. Matt looks like a Christmas moose with that sled behind him.

We did a little better without that crazy 2-year-old

Sven & Charity

Carolyn & her Jaja

The Aunts with little Hank. I wonder what he's thinking.

Aunt Nan finally got to meet Hank

Sweet Carolyn

Maddux & his mama

Emma & Carly

Jim Fish (Santa) proposed to his girlfriend Sarah. She said yes!

Santa Maddux

Nash got a guitar

Carolyn LOVES Thomas!

Iron Man - Maddux was scaring people in his mask until he'd flip open the visor and say in his sweet voice, "It's just me, Maddux."

Uncle Dave loves little Hanky Boy

Mama trying to hold all Eleanor's presents