dksquared: Christmas Day 2011

After spending a pleasant Christmas Eve enjoying dinner and church with friends, we had a very nice Christmas Day. Unfortunately, I was still quite sick (after weeks of being sick). Still, Santa came and left a generous pile of toys for two children who barely made it off the naughty list this year.

Santa Piles!

This firetruck was a gift from Nanny & Pop-pop and a big hit!

Degen was up as usual, and I got up when Kyrie awoke so that we could begin our Christmas fun. The kids headed straight for their piles and soon Darren & I were busy opening boxes and putting together toys. This task would keep us busy for most of the morning. One thing I really like about our Christmases is that my kids really linger over their gifts. There is very little rushing and the day stretches out in long pauses to explore new toys and play. In between the kids and I sample the Christmas chocolate Santa left.

A Christmas bouquet brightened our celebration!

After our Santa Piles we dumped our stockings to find new Christmas treasures. Darren and I hoped for some Christmas luck with some holiday scratch tickets... Alas, we counted our blessings instead of our lottery winnings! Then it was to get to the presents under the tree.

I love this photo of the boys playing with cars!

Kyrie with some of her new Lalaloopies!

We are very grateful to all our family and friends who were so generous in their gift-giving! The kids took turns opening their gifts with glee, joyous to unwrap each new treasure. As always unwrapping gifts leads to pauses for play. Both kids hate to wait to start having fun with art supplies, toys, dress up clothes, new outfits and more. It is nice for Darren & I to sit back and watch their fun... After we have opened boxes and put together pieces. And we also enjoyed opening our own gifts! This year, Darren surprised me with his & her IPads! We have spent the past few days getting acquainted with the 21st century!

Kyrie got a head start on her thank you notes with her new panda stationery.

Our Christmas fireplace wasn't lit, but still kept us warm with all the Christmas cards & photos from family & friends.

I have tried to post my favorite glimpses into our Christmas Day for you, and I hope that you and yours were able to enjoy a happy day, as well! Thanks, and love to all our friends and family who sent cards and gifts and kept us in their thoughts and hearts. We send you our love and best wishes for the happiest of new years!