christmas 2

Ah Christmas morning...

so peaceful.

After our morning at the apartment we headed over to the Burton homestead to be with the extended fam:

We enjoyed the company, the food, exchanging presents... all of it. It was just perfect. A few highlights to share:

1- Ed and Cindy got me the BEST wheat grinder. Oh it's beautiful. I was so touched and so surprised that I cried.
2- Cindy told us the story of Ed's Christmas present at which point he cried and Kristine and I got misty next to each other on the couch. Cindy works part time and she had been "saving her pennies," to buy him a Flat Screen TV for his office. We knew he wasn't crying because he loved the TV so much, (although I am sure he is very happy to have it) it was the fact that she had worked so hard and had sacrificed to get him something to make him happy. I love Christmas.
#3 Alaster saying "Berry Riffus... to Oll." (Merry Christmas to All) without anyone teaching him how and then actually getting him to repeat it to Whitney on the phone.
#4 Jack playing for hours and hours with the Nerf Gun Travis got him. Oh but that child was happy and content all day long. That could have been his one and only gift and he would have been totally happy... but he has loved playing with all his gifts from family since that day. Thank you all so much!

#5 Cindy greeting us as we came to their house with a big "You're all here!" and big huge hugs. Those grandparents have waited a long time to have their boys with them on Christmas I tell you what!
#6 Being with Corey on Christmas and all the great time we were able to spend together, with the boys and with the Burton Clan.

After looking at that collage I bet your saying to yourself "Is that what I think it is?" and the answer is YES! That is a leg lamp and a mini Ralphy's house! 5 points if you know what I'm talking about. Actually you know what?... deduct 5 points if you DON'T know what I'm talking about. If you haven't seen that movie you ought to be ashamed. The shot of Jack I included because he totally made a Ralphy-red-rider pose with his gun that night. It's blurry and mid-pose but you know the one I'm talking about right? (Cindy gave Ed the leg-lamp last year for Christmas and this year they got to put it up)

Last but not least Christmas night... new Pj's and the thank you notes that the boys made the night Corey and I wrote our thank-you cards. (Want to hear a horrible secret? We sent Corey and my notes but have yet to send Jack and Aly's! We wanted them to hand-deliver and we keep forgetting! OOPS!)

Our Christmas was totally wonderful. We hope yours was too!