MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

We had a great Christmas this year! Of course, like always, it goes way too fast. On Christmas Eve we went over to Ryan's parents' house for dinner and gift exchange. Ryan's grandma Colleen was there, Aunt Kathy, Uncle Ray and Aunt Mary, Laura, Dave and Taylor (Ryan's sister and her family). Bill and Mary were raised having seafood for Christmas Eve since their mom is Italian. It has been a learn to like experience for me and our boys since we are not big seafood eaters, but we get by. We do love the battered shrimp. They are the best part of the dinner I think. Then we get cleaned up and the kids of course have a hard time waiting. But when all is ready the opening of gifts start. We were all very spoiled this year, actually we are every year, this one even more so. Mary and Ray gave our boys each their own musical instrument. We're not talking little plastic things from a toy store. They are each very nice very special instruments. Chase got a xylophone (his is plastic but he needs plastic), Ethan got a guitar (beautiful), Chandler got a large keyboard, and Evan got a set of electric drums. They all want lessons and I so desperately wish we could afford to give them to them. For now they have fun making their own "funky beats". From papa and grandma R. they boys got a sports table which includes ping pong, pool, air hockey and something else. The boys love it! All the gifts that were given that night were so very nice and we are all so appreciative. We had a great night.

Then it was time for us to head home to get ready for Santa to come. The boys were all ready for bed and luckily they fell asleep quickly. The cookies and choco. milk were laid out and all was ready for Santa. Unfortunately, Chase decided to come down with croup that night. So Ryan and I didn't fall asleep that night till about 7 am. So when the boys came in to get us at 8 we told them about our sleep deprived state and asked if it would be all right if we could have one more hour. (I know we are terrible parents putting off our kids excitement for our own sanity, however in order to function Ry and I needed some sleep) The boys were very understanding and waited in their room patiently. We've got the best boys! So at 9 we hauled our fannies out of bed and headed to the front room to open our loot. The boys got roller blades, video games, Evan got a mini projector, Chan a guitar, Ethan tools, binoculars and various other stuff. Chase thank heavens is still thrilled with just opening whatever so he helped all of us. He got some fun things too. This Christmas is the first Christmas since we've been married that we didn't have to be anywhere for the rest of the day. We usually head over to my parents house for more fun with my fam. But my sister Rachel and her fam weren't coming till the next day so we would go over to dad's on Sunday. It was very nice to be able to chill and stay in sweats all day and play with our new things. Ryan's fam did come over for a little bit in the afternoon. The boys tried out their skates and took to them very quickly.

Sunday we went over to dad's around 3:30. My whole family was there and Angie's beau Matt and his son Dax were able to be with us too. We had a dinner of yummy appetizers and punch. Then, we opened all the presents there too. We are so blessed to have family on both sides who are so loving and kind and the spirit of giving is really felt I think. There is a lot of thought that goes into every gift and it is definitely felt. We stayed at dad's until about 9:30 pm and then went home to get some much needed rest.It's amazing to think that we will be starting a new year soon. All the unknowns of events to come are both exciting and scary but I am sure that 2010 will be great year. Bring it on!!!