Christmas

We wrapped up the Christmas festivities over the weekend, and having had a couple days to return to a world absent presents and hams, I finally have the energy to post.  The girls had a wonderful Christmas.  We kicked things off on Christmas Eve with Stella's choir performance, then swung by her cousin's house for some chili and then it was back home for family presents.  After a late bedtime, but before an early morning, Santa managed to sneak in and deliver a few much wished for presents.  These included some very odd stuffed animals called Stretckins, as well as a functioning miniature version of the claw game found at many arcades.

Before the dust had settled on the stockings, the cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents from Nebraska rolled in for a massive Christmas dinner.  We managed to squeeze in some sledding before we ate and of course hit a final round of gift giving after dinner.

The holiday festivities carried on for a couple more days, but life has returned to normal......somewhat.  School is still out and we have two kid friendly New Year's Parties to go to tomorrow night and our friends the Schmidts are sleeping over tomorrow and.....CORRECTION, life has NOT returned to normal.  The Party continues.

Stretchkin in action

Santa's bounty

The CLAW - I wish you could hear the music that plays constantly during the entirety of the contestant's turn.  It is ethereal.

Lucy sledding with Uncle Murphy and Fiona

Lucy sledding with Maggie (Lucy was a bit more into sledding than her more risk averse sister)

Stella enjoying the Christmas bounty. She was the only one unfazed by our rather limited spread of beans, rolls, and apple slices.