Christmas 2013

This Christmas Lilee is 12, Daegan 10, Holt 8, and Knoxx 2. We had a wonderful visit from Santa on the 20th, and the kids were surprised by the man in red with toys from their wishlist. It was awesome to see Knoxx so natural with Santa. He didn't bat an eyelash except to say "Santa!" in his baby speak and then, "Bye bye, Santa," when St. Nick made his departure. 

The kiddos opened their gifts once Santa left (He's on a tight schedule, ya know--had to get back to the North Pole in preparation for THE EVENT). Lilee opened a DSi 3D and her laughter quickly turned to tears. Let's just say that Patrick and I had made it clear that we could not afford the DSi, nor did we think it would be taken care of well enough to justify the expense (this makes #5 in our house, 3 of which did not survive and 1 that remains disabled needing to be fixed).

Daegan got a game he's waited nearly a year for: Batman Arkham Origins for the X-Box. Let's just say he was very excited. His happiness didn't stop him from consoling Lilee--love that sweet boy :-)!

Holt received Marvel Legos, which unbeknownst to Santa he really wanted--but not to put together, just for the figures. So, Lilee helped with assembly in the days that followed while Holt dropped in to occasionally supervise. That boy is going to have to find a job in which he can move into management quickly!

Knoxx received a big ole yellow dump truck from the giant red suited man.The rest of us are on our toes now for fear of the charging baby and his Thomas train toting dump truck. I hope my walls and furniture survive Santa's thoughtfulness!

The 22nd brought the lovely gift of time with family as Granny and PaPaw came to visit. While they couldn't stay long, the kids loved spending time with their grandparents and were very sad to see them go.

Christmas day made a fibber of Patrick who is always the first to defend the notion that children should be able to wake up at o'crack thirty and rip open gifts. Lilee woke up and got the boys out of bed at 6--but she couldn't get Patrick to get out of bed (not to say I was moving, mind you!). We made the kiddos stare torturously at their gifts for an hour before we joined them and had them open gifts (don't judge). Maybe next year we'll wrap ahead of time instead of the night before--better yet, we could wake the kids up when we're done wrapping at 3 or 4 and then put everyone back to bed. Hmmm.

According to family tradition, we went to Nana and G-Pop's house for Christmas dinner with the Oxford side. Nana made everything from scratch this year and a feast was certainly enjoyed. Cousins Kaitlyn and Hailee are growing up fast, and Lilee and Hailee enjoy each others' company more and more as they get older.

Favorite gifts:
For All: TIME. For the first Christmas ever, Patrick took time off of work from Christmas into the New Year. It has been lovely to have so much time together as a family, and despite the mess of 6 people milling about all day at home, it's time that couldn't be traded. 
Lilee: Oragami book and paper, make up, boots, NorthFace jacket.
Daegan: Batman Arkham Origins figures, Marvel Superhero X-box game, Prisma Color pencils and sketchpads
Holt: Horse Riding Helmet and gloves, Legos, Lego Indiana Jones X-box game.
Knoxx: All things Thomas!