Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Santa Was Kind

My brother Johnny and his wife Sierra joined us for Christmas morning, where good times, laughter and sugar were abundant. The kids made out like bandits, and have spent most of their time since playing with new toys rather than fighting over the TV or computer. A mom couldn't ask for more.

I was a little dismayed when Maddie looked at her new kitchen, and ran straight for her new $7 Tinkerbell Umbrella that Santa left in her stocking. But she has since taken a liking to the kitchen and is constantly bringing us food and catering parties for choo-choo-trains. (Ahhhh, kids)

Jude got exactly what he wanted. A choo-choo-train slide with Thomas and Percy. Those were his exact words. When we visited Santa and Jude asked for said toy, Santa looked at me and said, "I have no idea what he's talking about." He then told Jude, "You sure talk fast, son." Apparently Santa's helpers were able to translate. Jude won the award for Best Christmas Present Reaction.

Ella, received one of those ball-popper toys, and has spent very little time with it. The second she starts to play with it, Maddie and Jude come running and giggling, throwing elbows and tossing small children to get three seconds of action with this thing. There needs to be much more emphasis on the PLUS part of "12+ months."

Rob spent the morning laying around with the kids and enjoying his new Mario Brother's Wii game. He sure looks handsome in his new Avett Brothers and Radiohead Tees. (A couple of our favorite bands).

I spent the morning fretting over the turkey that refused to cook. But after eight hours in the oven (yes, really) we finally declared the bird done. (And by we, I'm referring to the evil "I've been starving myself all day," glares I was getting from my brother-in-law Aaron. He still denies it.) It never reached the appropriate internal temperature, and I was SURE we were all going to spend the rest of the weekend sick, but we ate it, and it was pretty tasty.

Enough with the talk - on to some pictures. I hope everyone enjoyed their day to the fullest extent.










6 comments:

Stacy said...

L-O-V-E (!!) your family picture in front of the tree!

You must have had some good kids, they rocked it this year! How fun!

I went through the same panic attack with turkey this year too! What the heck? The recipe I followed online said it would take 3 hours, and it ended up taking over 5. Next year we might just do the whole "Honey Baked Ham" thing- no cooking. Ha.

Kendal and Alissa said...

I love the picture of Ella and the kitchen. It looks like she was pretty happy with Maddie's present:) Good job you two on making turkeys...I think I agree with Stacy if it is ever my turn I'm going the "Honey Baked Ham" route. Christmas looks like even more fun with three kids!

Kendal and Alissa said...

Melissa I forgot to ask you where did you get that kitchen...it looks so cute.

Deon said...

Eight (8) hours? Holy smokes, girl, did you consider thawing the turkey first? jk! This the very reason Mr. Dave is in charge of our annual bird. It's less work to place blame than to cook a turkey.

Angie said...

Oh man, you crack me up! And you got some great pictures of Christmas. My favorite is the last one, after the presents have been opened! Great family picture also.

Oh, and I loved that Maddie was more excited for her umbrella than her kitchen set. My Maddy did the same thing with Tinkerbell band-aids. She didn't even look at her table/chairs. You gotta love it.

mom said...

Ah....the glorious happy destruction that is Christmas. Most of you kids preferred the box the gift came in to the actual gift so I can feel your "kitchen" pain. Looks like a good time was had by all.