Merry Christmas

CHRISTMAS MORNING

Upon waking, the first thing the kids did was look out the window for a white Christmas. No white Christmas this year. Instead they discovered this...

...Almost as exciting as a white Christmas.

Here's how it looked before the kids came down.

Tiger was eager to join in the festivities.

All I want for Christmas is my teeth.

Santa surprised Addilyn with her very own digital camera.

Maycie got the fox she asked for.

And Alex got his Power Rangers.

The kids always look forward to our traditional Christmas breakfast of egg casserol, sausage, bacon, fresh fruit salad, cinnamon rolls, hot chocolate with candy canes and egg nog. Of course, the festive presentation adds to it.

I finally got to get my girls American Girl dolls. They both requested dolls that look like them. I must admit, this was a request I was anxious to comply with. I had a lot of fun making matching doll clothes for them and styling the hair. I let them take their dolls to church since they were already dressed for the occasion. And if you're wondering if the increase cost over the imitation dolls is worth it, I can say the quality is definitely superior.

CHRISTMAS NIGHT

Our traditional Christmas night dinner with the Abbotts and Smiths. This year Jen and Jeremy Burgon join us. This has become my favorite part of Christmas day.

This year the kids got to participate in a talent show. They were a little slow to the taking at first, but soon the ball was rolling and they were all jumping up to exhibit anything.

Addilyn did a ballet demonstration.

Maycie played Jingle Bells on the piano.

Josh Abbott did some dancing to Snoopy.

Then all the kids busted a move to Snoopy.

Addilyn and Anna Abbott sang a beautiful duet to "Where Are You Christmas?"

Anna has really taken Addilyn under her wing and is frequently choreographing dances or cheers or writing movies for her and the other kids to act in. Addilyn really looks up to her and I'm glad to have Anna as an example.

The final gift we presented to the kids was the announcement of our family vacation to Disney World in three weeks. Now the Mickey Mouse pajamas make sense.