Merry Christmas!!!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!  Usually we open ALL gifts on Christmas morning.  This year we had to change things up a bit.  We had our Secret Santa gift exchange Christmas Eve and the boys opened their gifts from Nana and Papa, Will and Daniele, and Whitney and Evan.  Great Grandma Phyliss celebrated with us too.

Will, Whitney, Grandma Phyl, and Megan

The boys were spoiled before Santa even came down the chimney.  We had our traditional soup dinner and played some games.  Whitney and Evan took off for Des Moines despite the snow that had been falling ALL day.  We ended up with a lot of snow!  Daniele and Will also headed home.  Nana, Papa and Great Grandma stayed over the see what Santa would bring the next day.

Nash

Nolan

Uncle Will and Nash

Nolan and Uncle Will

Nana and Papa

Nolan, Great Grandma Phyliss, and Nash

Whit and Evan

Daniele and Will

This morning Nolan was up at about 7:30 but Nash slept in until about 8:30.  He has a cold again.  The boys were ready to tear into their gifts about the time Will and Daniele arrived again.  They stayed to watch Nash and Nolan open their gifts then took off to spend some time with Daniele's family.  Needless to say, the boys were showered with more gifts today.  I have no idea where we are going to put all of this stuff!  Nash doesn't want to take off his Buzz Lightyear laser.  I think he might sleep with it on.  

He took a nap in his new sleeping bag today.  We are planning to try out their new sleds this week too.  I really tried not to get carried away with the gifts but I was not very successful.  It doesn't help that everyone else got carried away too.  Even though we all enjoyed our gifts again this year, we did not forget the reason for the season.  Just a few minutes ago Nash noticed a few more gifts under the tree. He said, "Mom, are those gifts for Baby Jesus?"
Nolan was really fussy this afternoon.  We put him down for his afternoon nap but he wasn't having it.  I think his teeth are still really bothering him.  I can finally see the top three new ones when he smiles but they are no completely through yet.

It's now almost 9pm on Christmas night.  Daizy and Memphis are in their beds chewing on their new Christmas rawhide bones.  Nash is playing with his new "Cars" cars and race track.  Jason is watching basketball.  Nolan is sleeping.  I'm blogging (with my eyes half open).  Once again, I'm feeling blessed.  Merry Christmas to all and Happy Birthday Baby Jesus!

I need to go to bed and get some rest.  I'm so glad it's only Saturday. Next week is going to be crazy busy at work! Grandpa Steve and Grandma Alonna will be here from California for a few days.  Jason and I are looking forward a New Year's Party at our neighbor's house next weekend.  The party theme is Gangsters and Games.  We still have to get our costumes figured out and come up with an Italian dish to take along.  Babysitter...CHECK!  That's right, we hired a babysitter for the first time ever!  I know that sounds crazy but it's true.