Christmas 2008

This year, Christmas was much different for us as it was the first year we did not spend it in Missouri. Instead, Missouri came to us - in the form of D1's mom and step-dad. They arrived on Christmas Eve morning and stayed 5 days. We had a great time and the boys thoroughly enjoyed their company. On Christmas Eve, we drove through Hollywild (not fun when it's raining and muddy) and then came back home to make reindeer food. The boys spread it throughout the back yard, in hopes that the reindeer would find it and stop at their house. We came back inside to play with a few early presents when we saw something red in our backyard....it was RUDOLPH!! The boys went crazy.....D1 really pulled it off and they were so excited, d2 could barely get a word out the rest of the night. Grandpa S. read them 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' and off to bed they went, just as giddy as I've ever seen them.

Christmas morning, we woke and opened gifts and had a nice breakfast. I have to brag for just a minute - I really got some awesome gifts this year, including Rachael Ray cookware (YAY!), an iPod shuffle, an NIV personalized Bible, some serving dishes....and not to forget my early Christmas gift (really for both D1 and I) was our new (albeit used) camera with which the below pictures were taken. Much better quality pictures than our previous camera took! Anyway, later that afternoon, we headed to Uncle Bob's for a Christmas dinner and celebration with D1's dad's family. It was a great time!!! Overall, this Christmas was probably one of the best ~ we were fortunate to spend the holiday with both sets of grandparents and we know how much that means to our children. And I, for one, enjoyed the 70 degree weather on Christmas Day!

Happy New Year!!!

*Story with Grandpa

*"Santa brought me just what I asked for...." (Lucky for Mom &
Dad)

*An old toy of D1's, fully restored - the latest 'fight' in our home over
who gets to ride it

*d2 and Mommy on Christmas Night

*Three Generations of 'D' men...