We went to bed around 3:30 in the morning (after getting all of our stuff done). Then Chloe came up at 4 to tell us that Santa came 'cause our stockings had been filled and set on the floor (since we don't have a fireplace, they hang on the garland and then he sets them on the floor once they're filled 'cause they get kinda heavy). So we made her go back to sleep with us 'til about 7:30. She says she watched "that Christmas movie" (Christmas Story) twice. So we don't think she actually went to sleep-poor kid! I bet the suspense just about killed her!
Finally, some presents!! And Santa was good to us...
for Chloe: hair salon kit, princess castle, Ariel v-smile game, my size barbie doll, princess loofas, princess bubble bath, princess umberella, lip gloss, sparkly lotion, princess coloring book...
for Porter: BUZZ!!, buzz blanket with a stuffed Buzz, buzz loofas, bubble bath, woody figures, v-smile cyber pocket, Toy Story v-smile game, coloring book, basketball goal...
for Cooper: lots of clothes, tadoodles coloring stuff, leapfrog magnetic truck thing, trucks, musical globe, a big boy toothbrush (to go with his new teeth)...
all the kids got some playdough, a few games, and some mega bloks
me in my snuggie (I have the same feelings about snuggies as Sarah) :) (Matt & I got some other things too-thanks Santa ;) )
It was a fun Christmas morning. We had our usual cinnamon rolls-another tradition of ours (it was tough too-very time consuming! I thought of Matt's Grandma Halling a lot while I was making those. The whole time I just felt like "why do people do this, just go buy the ones in the tube!!), opened lots of presents, played a bit, had some visitors (Matt's mom & dad and J & Sae (which we LOVE-we love that they all come visit on Christmas morning!!).
After that, we got ready and headed down to my parents' house for more fun and some dinner.
They spoiled us too, as usual...
Buzz wings, buzz & princess dishes, bouncy ride-on thing (for Coop), sticker books, legos, easy bake stuff, bathtime ariel, notebooks.....and lots of fun stuff for the grown ups too.
We had a Swedish Christmas dinner this year-the Denams were in charge of the theme.
Mom did such a great job with the food and the decorations! We had mostly traditional Swedish Christmas dishes. They were different from what we're used to for Christmas dinner, but that's what makes this tradition fun! It's fun to try new things and learn how to cook new things. We ate on mom's fancy dishes and drank out of the fancy glasses-she even had plastic goblets for the kids :)
We had such a great Christmas this year. We do every year, and we're so thankful for that. We're thankful for good health, home, job, and eachother. We're glad we understand the true meaning of Christmas and giving gifts, and we're going to try to remember that meaning throughout the year.
We love you all and hope you all had a Merry Christmas too.
