Christmas

Sisters in matching hand-knit outfits by Matt's aunt.

The Christmas season seemed to really fly by this year.  For me, anyway.  Clare probably didn't think so; she just. couldn't. wait. until present-opening time.  As it turned out, the kids opened presents from us at home, then in MN on two consecutive days, then again at home from Santa who had filled stockings and dropped off a couple gifts while we were gone.  By the time they got to my parents' house to open gifts from that set of grandparents, our kids were tired of opening presents.  A good example of having too much of a good thing. It didn't help that we'd all gotten the stomach flu after Christmas and were generally pretty run-down heading into the new year. 

I love that he's holding his "blankie".

Grab those gifts where you can find them...  this awesome Tonka dump truck came from my sister whose neighbors were moving and getting rid of it. 

 Although, who needs fancy toys?  An empty box and a few cars are fun enough. 

 Half the fun of Christmas?  Wondering what could be inside each beautifully wrapped gift...

 Nora's first Christmas.  (Thanks, Holly, for the adorable booties.  They received many compliments.)

A big gift from Mom & Dad this year, a new play tent.  (We definitely out-shone Santa this year on the gift-giving.  No way were we giving him all the credit for cool gifts like this one.)