Merry, Merry Christmas...a Little Late

What a merry, merry Christmas we had this year!  (Far cry from last year, when Michael was nursing a double ear infection...)  As we posted below, we made our way out to the suburbs of Chicago to visit with all of Mike's siblings and their families.  (Mike's mom and dad were certainly in our hearts and minds all weekend.)  A special thanks to the hosts, Bill, Maggie, Ben, and Tom, who turned their house into the most hospitable Christmas location for young and old alike.  Bill even pulled out his old (ancient?) Hot Wheels track to race cars around the basement.

The kids, of course, had a blast opening their presents.  Katie, being sooooo old and mature now, graduated from the "rip up anything in front of her with glee and abandon" unwrapping phase.  She was proud to be the official gift passer for everybody in the family.  She patiently waited to see what everybody opened and really expressed her gratitude.  Here she is with her new veterinarian's kit.  (Note to parents...perhaps tie her hair back out of her face next year.)

Michael, on the other hand, opened his gifts just as you would expect a 3-year-old boy would.  Think Edward Scissorhands.  All he kept asking for the entire holiday season was a new silo, so here is Santa delivering!  (Little did we know that Grammy Claus also came through with a better silo.)

And, we can't forget Neve, celebrating her first Christmas!  She wasn't really into unwrapping anything, but she sure liked watching all of the commotion.  She certainly didn't do too badly for herself, snagging some new dolls, clothing, and a ball popper, among other things.

After all the craziness of the presents, it was time to enjoy some of the new gifts.  Michael, in particular, got into his new pocket volcano, activated with baking soda and vinegar.  We made him wait for his new geyser (mentos + soda) until spring arrives.  As it is supposed to gush up to 25 feet, we figured it could wait until it was nicer outside.

As a special surprise for Traci, Mike bought us 10PM tickets to the new movie, Les Miserables!!  So, after we scrubbed the kids down and tucked them into bed, we set off for our own date night.  (Momentous picture...first time all three kids have been in the same tub!)  A WONDERFUL movie to cap off a fantastic day!!