Christmas 2010

Christmas was great this year.  Some things weren't ideal, but that's how it goes sometimes.  I was just looking through our pictures and realized that we don't have that many.  Tim had a minor surgery on the 23rd and was in bed for a few days afterwards.  He's usually our photographer.  With him out of commission, we didn't get some of our classic pictures.  No picture of all the kids in their Christmas PJs on Christmas Eve.  No pictures of the tree with all the presents underneath it after Santa's visit.  Oh well.  One thing that made it extra special was that Grandma and Grandpa Call got to spend the whole week with us.  But sadly, there are no pictures of them, either.  Sigh.

My favorite moments from Christmastime this year:

When I went to get out my special Nativity, I was unwrapping each piece extra carefully.  Julia was, of course, entranced.  Each new animal or person was inspected and set down on the table.  When I unwrapped the baby Jesus, she just took in a deep breath and with all the awe and wonder in a three year old's voice whispered, "Oh, it's the baby Jesus."  She took him in her little hands and looked at him reverently.  It was such a sweet moment. I think I frequently underestimate the ability of my children, even the small ones, to feel and understand the things of the Spirit.

Christmas morning is brutal at our house.  We make the kids eat breakfast, and Tim insists on "interviewing" each one of them on video before they can open any presents.  So, by the time we were ready for opening presents, the baby was really ready to go down for his morning nap.  It was so funny, though, because as soon as he saw what we were doing, he totally got his second wind.  He was all about opening presents and even sat and played happily for about another hour.  So adorable.  Again, I think they know so much more than we give them credit for.

Miles got a motorized scooter for Christmas this year.  We, er, Santa didn't notice that the battery needed to be charged for 15 hours.  That put the first time that he could ride at about 4pm on Christmas Day.  He waited somewhat patiently.  When it finally came time for his first ride, he was so excited.  The look of pure joy on his face as he flew down the rode.  He had his back arched, and his face was plastered with a smile.  He was in heaven.  It was so great.

Here are some pictures.  (Helen, I'm one post closer to getting to Samuel's Baptism...)

Unfocused, but you still get the idea of what Christmas morning looked like.

Here he is enjoying his presents even though he's super tired.

Julia is opening her new doll house.  Do you love the look of excitement on Samuel's face?  Isn't it great to be a big brother?

Wesley getting in on the action.

Who looks more excited, Samuel or Miles?

Mr. Enthusiasm even before he opened his scooter.

We felt like we had to prep the older kids that because their presents now cost more than the little kids' presents that "Santa" would most likely get them fewer.  She was still ecstatic over her camera.

Here's Miles on his scooter.  This isn't the exact moment when he first road it, but you can still see how much he loves it.