Christmas 2010 !!

The night before Christmas, we got home so late that Coleman was asleep and carried right to bed :( but little Shelby Ruthie was sure not to miss out on making sure Santa had goodies.

Since we had just driven home FOURTEEN hours from CO the day before, and spent all day Christmas Eve at Gram & Grandpa’s house, Santa and the reindeer got what we had to give…

Crackers, the bottom of a bag of pretzels, old carrots, and I think that may be a rice krispie treat?  Oh and Shelby left him 35 cents as well! :)  She was happy and ready for bed.  We had our own “Elf on the Shelf” straight from Santa’s north pole this year and when he mysteriously moved to sit by her bedroom door, we decided that that must mean that Santa was close.  Shelby giddily sprinted to her bed. :)

 

Sometime during the night, the ol’ man came and brought gifts galore our good little boy and girl.

 

 

We timed it almost perfect, with the kids getting up just before 8:00.  Nonnie, Poppy, Millie, Luke, Anna, and Tyler all arrived just in time to see the Santa toys discovery.
There was much anticipation as they waited to head down the hall on Christmas morning!

Shelby got the doll she asked for from Santa (the other doll she named Lena is from Gram, so our lucky girl got sister dollies!)  Santa also found a desk that matched her room.  He must know how much she loves to write and draw!  Coleman got his super fast and big Lightning McQueen bike that he had been dreaming of!

Here you see a couple of happy kids.

 

Next they went through their stockings.  I love how they proudly displayed each thing for everyone to see.

   

Next, Coleman sat down to wait for his wrapped presents from everyone.

Chaos ensued.

Jeff and Luke got hatchets.  I think they liked them.

The bike, Stinky the garbage truck from TyTy, and this DIRK!!!! jersey from Nonnie and Poppy were among Coleman’s favorite gifts.  He didn’t take the jersey off for 2 days.

     

By the end, silly Shelby was in a frenzy.

 

Then, it was time to start PLAYING!  Ahhh, Christmas day as a child.  Pure fun!

 

I called him Dirk Vader.

Finally, though it was cold, the maiden voyage of the Lightning McQueen bike commenced, with an audience full of grandparents!

  

And girly pranced around with her new dolly, Molly.

 

I shouldn’t even post this picture, should I?

 

That evening we enjoyed an Italian dinner with Gram, Grandpa, Nonnie, Poppy, Anna and her friend Chris and his daughter Patience, and TyTy.  How very blessed we are to be surrounded by wonderful family during the holidays!