Another One

And last but not least- a surprise gift for Paul.

Another gift

After the kids opened all their presents we told them we had something else for them.  Gifts from Grandma Rita and Opa.  It was awesome.

Christmas Day

We had a fantastic Christmas filled with toys, Christmas music, good food, naps, and lots of love.  The best part was Darren had Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off!  It was a Festivus miracle!  I guess since he worked them last year he got this year off.   Santa knew just what to get my kids, since they had written such thorough letters to him. 

WOW!

Fun Christmas video

We heard about Netflix having a "fire" station.  We we cranked up the air conditioner and turned on the fire! It was pretty funny.

3 toy motorcycles for my 3 motorcycle lovers. 

Christmas dinner for Gabe.  Seriously, why even try?

He kept saying, "MONEY, MONEY, MONEY!"  We had chocolate coin wrappers everywhere. Seriously, everywhere.

Ellie is so cute and sweet!  She loves anything soft and snuggly. 

Ellie pretty much read all day.  I love it.

All the boys got nerf guns- which were a ton of fun. 

Every year we say that it was the best Christmas ever, but this one really was.  Best Christmas ever.  My kids were so good and happy and I felt so grateful to be together as a family. We ended up the day by going to see the movie Frozen.  I think I am the only I know who didn't like the movie.  Maybe cause I was in charge of Gabe and he had no interest in sitting still, eating popcorn, or suckers, being quiet, or watching the movie.  All he wanted to do was swing on the bar in front of us, and run up and down the stairs or the aisle.  It made it hard to enjoy the movie.  Through the day, I kept thinking how happy I was, and tried to savor each moment- but in the back of my mind I couldn't help but wonder, where we will be next Christmas?

Kyle's Letter

Kyle wrote the cutest letter for his cousin, Peter, I just had to take a picture of it. - Ellie made some corrections.

Dear Peter, 
It was fun to have you here.  I had such a fun time with you.  I'm so excited for Christmas.  Are you? My elf on the shelf came.  De you have an elf on the shelf? I made my Christmas list on 12-2-13.  When are are macking your list?  Oh yaa! My birthday is coming up.  Tell your mom to take you to a stor and get me a present.  ok. good.  I'm done so good by.  ps. send back a leter.

What My Kids Want For Christmas

 My family has been e-mailing what kids wanted for Christmas 100 years ago compared to what they want today.  Here's what my kids Christmas list looks like for the year 2013.  I told them to put lots of things so Santa would have more to choose from.

 Lets start with Paul's list- as an 11 year old:

To Santa Clause

I have been very good this Christmas, so I want these few presents.

1. Any star wars Lego set above $15

2. A small Nerf gun and bullets

3. Anything Pokémon

4. A scooter

5. DS Games

6. Electronic Wipes, Micro SD Card, and a Tablet Cover

7. Real Clay

8. $10 For tablet games

9. Art Stuff

10. Lego Star Wars The Complete Saga Wii game

11. Rainbow Weave Kit

12. (Most wanted thing) Super Scribblenauts DS Game

Thank You, Santa!!!

Ellie's List, 10 years old:

Dear , Santa   (A.K.A Mom) 

I have been very good this year so I made a list of want for Christmas. Just so that you know I am NOT  expecting to get everything on this list.

1.I would LOVE it if I could have a package or two of LPS (Littlest Pet Shop)

2.My little pony Princess Cadence

3. Lego princess with dragon or horse

4. jewelry (the pearl necklace kit for $10)

5. Money for tablet games

6. A soft blanket

7. Scooter

8. DS games

9. DS Case

10. Pokemon Cards

11. A chocolate orange

12. Candy

13. Anything else you think I would like.

And then Kyles- who wrote his.  This kid made it easy.  He divided it into 3 sections.

Stocking list. 1.chocolate coins  2.DS games. (3 to 5 games)  3.tadlet with moste my money. (a tablet that he has saved up for and he wants us to pay the rest)  4.tree ordament. 5.flart  6.bubblegum machine  7. pocket knife with gadgets and stuff

Birthday list  1.Kite  2.Legos   3. ice age dawn of the dinosaurs

Christmas list  0.Scooter  1.Hot weel set stick on walls set 2. Hed bans Act Out  3.chocolate orange

 There they are.  They are such good kids. 

How baby Gabe celebrates Christmas

Gabe likes to celebrate by getting into the hot fudge our neighbors just gave us.

running away from the camera

 And drinking some Martinelli's and refusing to share.

 

It was so funny I couldn't stop taking pictures!  He was being hilarious!

Christmas Celebrations in Florida

 Well, after 3 years I still haven't gotten used to a warm Christmas.  Actually I should say, less hot.  As the only 2 temperatures here are: hot, and less hot.  It is definattly harder to get in the Christmas mood.  To help the mood along we went to a Christmas boat light parade.  It was fun.  Although we were late and only saw 4 boats. We were late cause we were at a gingerbread house decorating party.  So that's ok. 

You might think this is at the mall- well, yes it's at a mall, an outdoor mall.

One of the boats behind the kids.

Gabe meeting Santa for the first time!

He avoided eye contact at all cost.

Even if that meant looking at the camera

We had to wait in line behind at least 10 people for this picture- and not one of those people were under 60 years old! LOL.  All the old ladies were very flirtatious with Santa, and none of them were Mrs. Clause- I know cause we saw her next.  I guess Christmas is for the young and old.

We watched a street magician for a while.  He was good! Paul got to be an assistant for one of his tricks

Paul drew something on a card

And the magician put it in the pile of cards, and then pulled it out of this box.

Gabe meeting Mrs. Clause. 

We danced in the bubbles-

And saw Santa again!

Gabe was mesmerized by the splash pad.

The other kids ran around. It really was so pretty in the dark with the Christmas tree in the background.

You know that's it warm when your kids can get wet, at night, in December, and still                   be having a great time.