Christmas 2010, Part III

After we had a tasty breakfast of orange rolls & coffee, we got all dressed up for an afternoon of festivities with the relatives. We are so glad that we live close enough to the rest of the family to be able to enjoy Christmas mornings at our house, and then scoot on over for a family gift-opening. Unlike my side of the family that lives ALL across the U.S., B's entire family is all within an hour drive!! We spent the afternoon with the extended family eating a delicious buffet and playing games. Sadly, this was the first year that Granddad P. did not feel well enough to join us, but we certainly hope to be able to celebrate with him next year. Poor little Ethan, though, lost it around noon. He was so overwhelmed by all the festivities and number of relatives that he just tired himself out, barely ate, and then just couldn't nap no matter how much Daddy & I tried to lay him down to rest. He was just exhausted by the time we drove home in the evening! But, it was such a fun Christmas this year, and he slept well into the next morning, only to take a three hour nap in the afternoon. Now that was a Christmas gift for me!

This was as still as I got this soon-to-be two year old to pose.
E & Daddy opening a gift at the Cousins while Cousin T. looks on.

All he wanted to do was play!

Getting help from Cousin M. opening another of his presents.
It is the EverEarth garden activity cube. I know both of our boys will enjoy playing with it.

Pondering.

E began to tucker out right around noon.

He found a very comfy spot in the cat's dog bed and pulled the blanket up- Ha.

As close as I got to a pic with my little guy.

A bit overwhelmed, young-and-restless, hungry, and currently not enjoying taking pictures.
But, oh so cute!

A gift from Great Auntie P. that he 'opened up' the following day.

He actually broke into it a week early (sounds like me when I was little), but I managed to confiscate it after much to-do, and re-wrap it. He loves these little trucks (he received a different set for his birthday)!

And this is how he plays with them.

Our neighbors were sweet as always. One gave him an adorable, little workshop with tools.

And, his favorite ladies gave him this assortment of gifts. They know him more than most people and got him this with his favorite character- Curious George. We're not ones for 'character stuff', but we do find all of this super cute.

Miss N. got this way-fun fish plug for E's bathtime.

The fish swam all the way across The Pond (hahhaha- yes, N., Auntie E. told us just how far away this fishie came).

Auntie E. made the cutest ties for E. His very own which he sported over the next several days!

Not sure how often we'll actually have occasions to don a tie, however I'd like to request an order for more!!!!!! I'm excited that Master Colin will get to wear them as well.

Perhaps his favorite gift was just being able to play with Auntie E.
I think I realized this Christmas that no gift makes up for time not spent with the ones we love.

So all told, where in the world are we supposed to put all these presents!?!?!?!?!

This is E's new mass of toys & books, minus clothes and gift cards that he received.
B and I have been trying to come up with additional, innovative storage solutions for all of his new toys in the playroom. It might take us awhile.

Obviously our playroom is play-central during winter!

Even Colin received his first Christmas gift from Uncle C. and his family!

Thought it was really sweet. With all of E's toys Colin won't be needing any- Ha!

Found a new way to display the holiday cards this year, and we (B in particular) love it.

Typically they sit on the mantle or on top of the toyshelf, but they were getting messed by the little one. Card bowls/baskets are not my thing- I like to be able to see and read the cards often. I just took two strips of ribbon, stuck them on the wall, and then holepunched the cards and attached them to the ribbon with safetypins (so you can still take them down and read them).

I was really thrilled when we got our first card addressed to all four of us!

Lots of holiday cheer!