Merry Christmas to Us!

This morning we opened our presents and are having our family time together before we head down to Illinois. These brave Wisconsonites did not cancel church yesterday, although I stayed home in the evening with two kids since I was sick. I wouldn't have gone in the morning either if Matthew hadn't been singing in the Christmas program (which went well, although he was on a end all by himself...at least he's cute!)

Rob couldn't sleep last night, so he stayed up and got chores done (you know, dishes, playing Wii...) and shot upstairs at 3am when Ben fell off the bed. My bed. Didn't even know the little guy had joined me! He was so sleepy he just said, "Ow!", climbed back in, and went right back to sleep! Rob decided to try to sleep at that point (note to Rob: don't drink a cup of coffee at 5pm...) and we were awakened by TWO boys joining us at 6am. They wiggled for awhile until we finally all got up and went downstairs, grabbing our stockings on the way down. The boys got a plastic candy cane full of M&M's, a new little car, and a Wal-Mart gift card from their Great-Aunt and Uncle. Anna got her pink Hot Wheels car and a gift card. She promplty slobbered all over her car. I had put Ro-cher (can't spell it) candy in Rob's stocking and he gave me some comfy socks, a butterfly punch for card making, and a Ghiradelli milk chocolate and peanut butter candy bar.....wait...I need to wipe off some drool.... Oh, we also got a Wal-Mart gift card which is wonderful because two of our small appliances have sucumbed to the electronic Bermuda triangle that is our house and need to be replaced.

Then the kids got to open gifts. Anna received Curly and Pals, an octopus where each leg has a different texture, there's a mirror in the middle, and all kinds of fun things to explore. So far today, she has crawled over it to get to her shoes. Ben received Zip Track Rally, a car racing thingy that you have to snap together. It's pretty cool and the cars go fast, so he loves it. Matthew got Motor Works which has little vehicles that you put together with your own drill and screwdriver. I think he'll play with it when the fascination with the Zip Track wears off.... They also got a box of fruit snacks and tore into them immediately. We're cutting back on sugar in general, so those are on the black list right now but still okay for treats. Occasionally.

Anyway, the boys are having fun right now, Anna is going down for a nap, and Rob and I are going to begin the packing process. We're taking off today after Anna's nine-month check-up. Got to beat the snow!!

Merry Christmas to all of you if I don't post again before the week is out.