Christmas!

Christmas Eve was spent at church and then dinner (traditional beef brisket!) at our place with my family.

Christmas morning was just the four of us--nice and quiet and leisurely. The boys, surprisingly, slept in till 8am, then they helped me finish wrapping Dustin's presents (so on top of things!) while the cinnamon rolls baked. 

One child was obliging

Luke 2 was read; stockings were opened.

We had to convince them to leave their coloring books (Dover makes Revolutionary War coloring books) and come eat breakfast.

More present opening, followed by time to play with the presents.

The prized gifts this year were the tricorn hat and pistol

Playing their new Robot Turtles game

Lego assembly

More Lego assembly

Finally two smiling boys in front of the tree

Then it was up to my Uncle's for a lovely afternoon and evening with my family.

We always walk to the town square to visit the snowman and the nativity

Good food, lots of visiting, more presents, and more playing.

Remote controls are pretty fun!

Another hit present: Civil War soldiers from Granny, whom we'd visited right after the Civil War Reenactment

The day after Christmas, the boys and I got a quiet home day (boys got to play with their new toys while I packed, finished chocolates, and finished wrapping presents for Christmas, take 2) and Dustin headed back to work. We drove up to Fresno that night.

Friday was Christmas day with the Guenthers, starting with the traditional Christmas tree rolls and German sausague and ending with the traditional chocolate pie. It was a day of good company, good food, playing games, opening presents.

Next day was Christmas day with the Friesens (and the camera was forgotten back at the house). More delicious food, good company, game playing, Christmas celebrating. Then back home that night, so that I could help my mom host a bridal shower for a dear childhood friend the next day.