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Christmas Day was WONDERFUL as always.  Here's a rundown:

 - we torture our kids by making them stay in their rooms until we give the go-ahead.  We always say a family prayer first too.

 - EVERYONE got what they wanted from Santa.  Jacob got a personalized letter in response to his letter, which he was stoked about.  He also got boxing gloves and a Ripstick (a kind of skateboard).  Caleb got a punching bag to work on his taekwondo and a motorized scooter.  Samuel got a tricycle. 

– Derek got toe covers for biking.  I got Lingonberry juice from IKEA…my favorite!

– we always have orange rolls for breakfast, and pretzel salad, which is much more dessert-like than salad-like

– after opening gifts one-by-one and enjoying some play time inside and out, we got ready and headed over to my mom's (around 1)

– we always have "performance" time at my mom's – Jacob and mom play the piano, Caleb played the dulcimer, my grandma read a poem

– we had a delicious dinner – beef tenderloins, twice baked potatoes, corn casserole, asparagus, salad, and rolls

– we exchanged gifts, which took probably 2 hours!  But is sooo fun.  (I got a Le Crueset dutch oven, a scrapbooking tote that rolls, personalized notepads, ornaments, and a sweater!).

– then we played the "name game" – a rematch, the guys won and gloated for an hour

– dessert (Grandma Kake's cherry pie and Nana's pumpkin crunch)

– then we headed home, gave the boys bread and milk (our fill-in meal) and put everyone to bed…content but tired

It does not go unnoticed by me that it is such a blessing to have so much family close by.  To have grandparents who are healthy and well and able to join in the festivities.  My Grandma has spent the last several Christmases with us, as has Grandma Kake, who lives here in town.  And my Grandpa sent some of my kids' favorite toys this year…a wooden train, a talking microscope and a geography game.  All of my siblings now live in the Dallas area.  My mom and Steve live in the same town.  I am so grateful to have my children under the constant influence and watchful care of my family.  This is what I'm most grateful for this Christmas.