Christmas post

So much has happened since the start of 2009, but I wanted to take time to post a few pics from Christmas this year. We had such a wonderful holiday. It was great to be together as a family. After the giant Christmas we had last year and Santa's over generosity, Joe and I vowed to tone it down this year. Besides, we just didn't need to spend all that money. As I spent an entire Saturday wrapping presents (32) to be exact, I wondered if we had really downsized at all. No, the kids didn't get the big gifts this year, but they still got a ton of stuff. I think Santa has decided not to wrap his gifts for our kids next year.

I have to brag on Joe a little bit. He certainly went above and beyond this year. I got this really beautiful picture to hang above our sofa. I saw it at the store a few weeks before Christmas, but did not have the money to get it. When he went back to purchase it, the woman working in the store remembered him and how much I had wanted it. I did have to do a scavenger hunt to find it under our bed. Good thing I don't like to vacuum, or I might have found it early. He also gave me a digital photo frame (two of my favorite things - digital and photo) and a cricut font at tool kit. He did not stick to the limit we had set for ourselves, but I loved it all.

The kids got a little bit of everything. We let them open a few things early and everything from us the night before Santa came ( he comes to our house the night before Christmas Eve since that is when Hunter is there.

Lauren wanted to make sure I posted a picture of her raindeer cake that grammie Susan brought for her. So here they are.

Here are two more pics of us after Lauren's program. I meant to post these the other day.

Here are some pics of the much awaited tunnel system from grammie Susan. They opened a few days early to get some play time.

This is what it looks like all put together in the basement.

Baking cookies for Santa - mommy tried them and they were yummy.

Just a few of Lauren and her gifts.

She loves this little toy princess camera - she loves to take pics just like her mommy!

And a few of Hunter too. Santa brought him a magic set. He has been showing us his "magic tricks". I don't think David Copperfield has anything to worry about. This year has been all about Indiana Jones. He got a whip from Santa and has been "whipping" his sister ever since. She just giggles.

He was sooooo excited about his Ipod shuffle (once he figured out what it was).

I will end this long post of a few of the family. Hope you all enjoyed your Christmas.

This is a pic of Joe and his sis.