Merry Christmas!

I commented to my sister (who is also an active blogger) that, because of the blogs, this is the first Christmas we wouldn't have to feel guilty about not scrapbooking! I love blogging! Here is a re-cap of our Christmas adventures.

Christmas Eve

I don't think you could pay me to do this in freezing weather, but Ben thought it was a perfect day for a swing.

We spent some time at Grandma and Grandpa McDavitt's where Ben and I presented the Nativity story with everyone gathered around the refrigerator (the nativity pieces were magnetic). Then we hurried home to get ready for Santa. Cheezits and applejuice for Santa (since he's sick of cookies by now), and sparkly magic oats and carrots for the reindeer while they wait outside. (I had been playing with my camera settings, so a few of these pictures are blurry, ugh!)

Christmas Morning

Santa brought Sam a new art desk with lots of fun art supplies, Ben got a new big boy bike with hand brakes and five gears. Santa also brought a hot wheels race track similar to a pinewood derby track. The boys love it.

Christmas at Grandma's

Presents, dinner, sledding, naps...what a great day! The "Hulk Smash" gloves were a huge hit with the boy cousins.

Here was the scene after the big Hulk Smash knock down brawl on the extra mattress downstairs. Though he looks like the might just be the unfortunate loser of the brawl, he's sleeping, not unconscious (though Grandma was a little worried). We noticed Sam didn't come back upstairs when the other boys did, went to check on him, and found him snoozing, still with gloves on.

We had a little hot wheels derby at Grandma's. All the men and boys chose a car, and I think the winner was uncle Danny.

After dinner, the kids bundled up and went sledding on Grandma's hill. I love these pictures! A neighbor boy came over with a snowboard, and guess who seems to be a natural at that...yep, Ben. He loved it and now wants a snowboard.

The Day After

Sixty degrees! We spent some time outside enjoying the moist air as all the snow melted. It was a little muddy, but we didn't care! Ben got to try out his new bike, which looked like it would be a little too tall, but he was very brave and figured out how to pop up on the seat as he pushes the first pedal down. He's a natural with the handle bar brakes. I barely even gave him instructions and he figured that out. He also shifted the gears a couple of times while riding. The wheels on this bike are much bigger than his Rocket bike, and he can go really fast. I'll have to pick up the pace when I "jog" him to school.