Have a Holly Jolly Christmas...

Merry Christmas to all our friends and family. Doug and I were so excited about seeing Mary's reaction this year. She surprised us...Lately, we've been having wake ups at 6am. Adam usually wakes first and cries and as I'm going to get him, Mary's either sitting up in bed or waiting for me in the hallway (that can be a bit startling when it's dark and I'm groggy). We told her that she needed to wait until Adam woke up before getting out of bed this year on Christmas morning. Why? Because mommy and daddy want to sleep as long as possible and we don't want you waking us up at 5am cause you're so excited. O.K. Of course, Adam didn't get that message, and since we messed up his eating schedule by having dinner 2 hours early, so we could attend Christmas Eve mass during our normal meal time, he woke at 4am wanting breakfast. Yikes. Milk and back to bed equalled sleeping in for us. Yea! I heard Mary wake up at 6am, she went to the bathroom (and according to her, she peeked in the living room and it was dark, so she went back to bed). I heard her thumping around in bed, but she stayed there. Doug and I drifted in and out until 7:15am and we decided she had waited long enough. There she was sitting up in bed, patiently waiting. I asked her if she wanted to get up and she looked around her room and replied, "I don't think Santa came yet." I said, "Where does Santa put the toys when he comes?" "Under the tree!!!!" I said, "Have you looked under the tree?" She immediately ran out of the room and into the living room. I wish I could describe the look on her face when she walked in the room, how her eyes lit up and her smile was big enough to make even the grumpiest scrooge laugh. Adam quickly woke up after hearing all the commotion and it was a good thing, since there were presents to open.

Hey, what's in there?

Adam taking his new car for a ride. This thing is awesome. The screen moves and you steer a little car using the steering wheel. There are tons of noise makers, a real turn signal, headlights and even auditory gas and brake pedals. Pretty cool. (I'll admit, I even took it for a spin).

This was the year of Thomas. We received Thomas the Tank Engine trains, lunch boxes, puzzles, toys and books, books, books. Wow! Hard to believe the recipient for most of them is a girl. She loves her trains. I am glad that Adam also got some Thomas things. Now Mary doesn't have to feel obligated to share so much.

She even got a train table! Although Adam thought it was for his own caboose.

This pictures totally sums up my daughter... A little bit girly, a little bit tom boy.

You know it was a good morning, when there is so much drool that it completely covers Santa. My failed attempt to get a good pic of the two of them in front of the tree. Adam was too wiggly. What's new?

Mary received a camera this year. She's been begging me for a pink camera and even though I tried to gift her with my old one, she wasn't satisfied and said that the elves were busy making pink ones this year. Thankfully, Santa was able to find one. It's super cute, it's made for kids so it's big, easy to hold and tough. It also has cute stamps and frames to add to the pictures to make them more fun. I'll admit, I think I had as much fun trying it out as Mary. However, I went to download her pictures this morning and she had 287 already (and I had deleted some yesterday)! Good thing the camera holds 400 at a time! You're downloaded and empty baby, go take some more pics!

A big thank you to all our friends and family that helped make this a super special and memorable Christmas for us and the kids. We love and miss you so much and can't wait to be closer next year! Merry Christmas!!!!