Christmas at last!

Well, Christmas was only a week ago, so we're not doing so bad updating the blog. 

This year  Xmas was definitely a lot of fun for Maddie. For the first time she really "got it" and was super excited. To pass the long days until Christmas, Janet came up with a really fun game. She got a little Christmas elf and we told Maddie that the elf was visiting us before Christmas to report back to Santa about the happenings in our house and whether everyone was being good. The elf was found in a different spot every morning (since elves only move when no one is around, i.e. at night). Maddie at first wasn't quite sure how she felt about the secretly moving elf but really got into it after a couple days and started looking for him every morning before breakfast.


Finally the big day was here. Here a few shots of the kids unwrapping their plentiful gifts.

Mason and his toy guitar and his  new "cheese" grin . 
He does this every time he spots a camera now.

Maddie got an Ariel figurine playset and was very excited.

Maddie played with her Ariel set for over an hour by HERSELF. Anyone who knows our daughter will surely be just as amazed as we were.

Lots of blocks and potential for a messy living room.

Maddie and melodica

Oma sent Maddie my old melodica, my very first music instrument. It's kind of like a flute with keys. Maddie enjoyed the honking noises she was able to produce easily. When asked if she wanted to learn "Twinkle twinkle" she simply responded: No!.....honk honk!!!!"

Even with dozens of new toys a good old fashioned roll of 
toilet paper is hard to beat.

The following day we were greeted with 6 inches of snow, seemingly putting a major wrinkle into our plans to head down to see Grandmama and Grandaddy. After much frustration and shoveling the driveway I decided to take a test drive to see how bad the roads really were. Better than expected and we decided we would make a go of it. We left a couple of hours later than planned but got there safely.

Before leaving though Maddie really wanted to play in the snow some, so I took both of the kidlets out.

Maddie really loves snow......until she gets cold that is.

Mason was not sure what to do with the white stuff.
He much preferred to be held up at a safe 
distance from the cold mess.

We arrived in Burgaw around 2:30 and after a late lunch/early dinner it was time for some winter fun farm style.

Four wheeler: check! Wheel barrow pan: check!  Rope: check!

Janet and Maddie ready for the ride

And off they go:

Havin' a bit of fun myself

Then the second phase of opening presents started:

Yay, jammies!

New swing for Mason, Daddy serves as tree.

Maddie got a sleeping bag for sleepovers and camping next 
summer. Mason and Maddie are enjoying it together.

Hoppy horse for Mason

And crayons. This boy really loves to color and paint. 
He was very excited.

A crawl tunnel for both of the kids, and by now....... the cats.

The end of a fun but very long five days with the kids: 
Daddy has given up, Mason takes to drinking and only 
Maddie, as expected, has any energy left.