Merry Christmas 2011!

This was the first year we had issues getting the kids to get to bed so that Santa would come.  Patrick was up quite late.

But Santa managed to get to us anyway!  The kids were so excited when they saw their full stockings and Santa gifts on the couch.  They were even more excited that the Kitties had puchased them gifts AND made a treasure hunt to find them.  Such cleaver kitties. 

After following the clues they found their gifts in the bathtub of all places!  Interesting choice considering the kitties do NOT like to get wet. 

After that, we opened our stockings and then dispursed a bit to play/tidy/build.

Patrick had asked for the game Perfection from Santa and was pleased as punch to recieve it.  I helped him open it and we had a few games over breakfast.  It was super fun!  We are really going to enjoy it.

 Meanwhile, Willy was all Christmas'ed out already and watching his movie with his cup of milk (rice milk... he is still dairy-free)

 Upstairs, Shaun and Kathryn were assembling her gift from the kitties - a Barbie doll house which actually went togeter quite easily and is actually nicer inside than our house ;).  She will get YEARS of play out of this house!

 Osiris checked to ensure we hadn't missed any pieces in the barbie house box:

 After breakfast, Shaun's parents, sister Lisa and her daughter, Abby joined us for more presents fun (and junk food.... MmMMm... lots of yummy delicious and sweet things!)

Kathryn really enjoyed being the helper and passing out gifts.She even put on her "Mrs. Claus" dress.

 Willy ripping into a gift.  I was so happy to see him get into it this year.  He did peeter off quicker than the big kids and it took him until the 27th to finish opening all his things.

 Willy got a ride-on toy from Grandma and Grampy and it just couldn't get out of the box fast enough!  Here he is trying to ride it while its still in the box:

 Kathryn got this gorgeous dress from Auntie Boo & Abby:

 Snuggles with Grampy.  The youngest two wore out pretty quick. 

 Willy even fell asleep on Grampy before lunchtime (and again after dinner too!)

We had a lovely Christmas morning together and then parted ways until late afternoon when we gathered again for turkey dinner.  It was really nice to be all together and enjoy the spirit of the season with family.