Christmas Day

Natalie and a silly hat.

Daddy and Natalie, inspecting a new book.

The kids, checking out their new keyboard. Mommy is most excited about this gift!

It's not as extravagant as it looks. Take presents from a few different Grandparents, add ones from mommy & daddy and from each other, multiply times six people and this is what it looks like. I ran out of paper before I got the dollhouse wrapped (which was a Freecycle find!)

Natalie's turn to open a gift. They were sitting on blankets because the tile floor was quite cold that morning. It rained and stormed all day, but was very cold too.

It was a nice Christmas. The kids are happy. Paul is happy. I am happy. I did miss my family, though. Hopefully next year we will get to be together. We will have a six month old addition to the family next Christmas! And maybe, just maybe, I'll actually get around to doing Christmas cards and family photos.

Gift favorites: Paul - new computer. Alexandra - a scooter. Max - Ironman disk shooter. Anastasia - 'pee pee in the potty dolly'. Natalie - Elmo spin & lights . Mommy - cash. :)

I did get one unique gift this year. It was a very big box from Paul. The card said, "I cannot get you a dishwasher this year, but here is the next best thing." The box held nearly a year's supply of paper plates, paper cups and plastic utensils. He is a very sweet man! The house we are renting does not have an automatic dishwasher and there is no place to put one. He often talks of how he wishes I didn't have to do dishes everyday. I love my man.

One more birthday this month. I am just about party pooped!