Merry Christmas!!

Mr C did indeed stop by and ate the cookies (or at least put them carefully back in the containers) and even left a quick note for the kids.  All month long we have had a visitor in the house, an elf by the name of Smalls.  The story goes that he flies back to the North Pole each night to report to Santa about the ongoings in our house.  Anyone can talk to him or have him pass a message along, but you can't touch him.  Each morning was a challenge to see where he landed upon his return (or should we admit each night was a challenge for Mom & Dad to remember to move him?).

It became apparent that breakfast wasn't going to happen before opening gifts, so I relented and let them start with stockings.  Tristan found some money and ran to get his wallet "just in case he found more to put in it" :)

Look at the camera and show me your earrings = look closely at your earrings!

Keira and Lexi both got robes and slippers -
maybe no more naked runs from the bathtub!

A transformer with a key = an IOU for a remote car starter
 (I wasn't going to pick that out)

Once again, more legos.  Notice the pouting pup in the background.

When she wasn't eating the paper Eisley liked opening stuff up.

A lens for my camera and a gift certificate for a photography class!

 We didn't have too much time to dawdle, but much more than we usually do when everyone comes for breakfast.  So Tristan was set to work opening boxes and thought he could tackle assembling Eisley's musical toy.  Hmmm...it doesn't look quite right.  Soon enough he will be a pro.

 Before too long we managed to get packed up and head back to CB.  This time to Aunt Lori's house for lunch with the Rich family. 

Rock-paper-scissors-Spock-lizard
We even watched several episodes of Big Bang

 This year we didn't make Great Grandpa sit on the floor to partake in the games, at least he got to sit at the table.  Tristan came into the game of dominoes quiet innocent, but then turned his game on after he found out the Rich Rules aren't always fair!

After lunch, games and a couple naps we were off to Uncle Bob & Aunt Connie's for supper - really, the last stop! 

Eisley chowing down on some carrots and eyeing the big plate of cookies!

Excuse the 1/2 naked girl, but getting out of those tights does wonders for one's mood. 
Checking out the new exercise ball from Nana & Papa

Although we ran many places and saw many faces, we felt very fortunate to share this holiday with our family.  It felt complete, here we are, The Rich Family, all of us.  Happy, healthy and here having the Christmas of our dreams.

Hope your Christmas was as merry and bright.

Lexi said it best, "Merry Birthday Jesus!"