Happy Birthday to You, Jesus (Part 3)... Christmas with the Flachs

As always, Joshua and I were the first to wake up in Christmas morning. I brought him into our bed to snuggle for a while and when he could no longer tolerate being quiet and still - he bribed me! He suggested we get up to make coffee! That is the one early morning suggestion I can not say no to!

After we got the coffee maker perking, I asked if he would like to see if there were presents in his stocking?

He was a little cautious! He stood peaking around the couch for a while, until I reminded him that Mommy and Daddy put the presents there. "No Santa?" NO SANTA!
At that he moved a bit closer to check out his stash.
He finally dared to touch them. Oh so funny! Most kids you have to tie down just so you can get your camera. Not Joshua - this year anyway!
He thought mommy should be in a picture too. This is our 6:30 AM Christmas morning self-portrait. Only for you Gubs!
In an attempt to keep him quiet a little longer, I let him open one gift from his stocking.
It was a zhu zhu pet. He was thrilled because Brenna has them which makes them really cool! So we played zhu zhu pet as quietly as possible.
Sierra was next up. I fixed her hot cocoa, her favorite.
Joshua had to try it too. He much prefers coffee!
Some Christmas morning love!

Eventually the rest of our family woke up. We all opened the contents of our stockings, ate breakfast (thanks to daddy), showered, and hit the road to Grandma and Grandpa's house!

Grandpa suggested the kids pack snow clothes. So as soon as we had the car unloaded, they were ready to play outside. (I try to be a good sport about this, but I HATE playing in the cold! I was maybe a bit grumpy about this part of the day - but the trees were stunning and the littles had a ball!)

Joshua is starting to like playing in the snow (unfortunately)! But he still slips a lot. He is getting better at getting back up by himself. "Mommy no help you!"

"Joshua help you!" aka "I did it!"

Sierra (I told you the trees were beautiful)!
Brenna
Joshua Gebeyehu
Adrianna
Alexa

For the record, I was the only one over the age of 11 outside!

The kids had just a little bit of time to warm up before lunch. Here is what we found when we went to call them to the table.

Precious!

Grandma planned birthday cupcakes for baby Jesus. Each grandchild received a birthday horn to toot and a cupcake with a lit candle to blow out. It was really, really fun!

This is Joshua when he finally got his horn to toot. He was so excited!

Sierra blowing out her candle.

After lunch, Joshua and I drove home for a nap. While I enjoyed some quiet, Grandpa was hard at work!

This is how you sled way up north - behind the John Deer. The kids had a ball!

I woke up Joshua and returned just in time for him to try the wii.

He is really not coordinated enough yet to push the right buttons, so Krissy gave him a remote to hold, while she played for him right behind him.

He was very proud of his success! It was a hoot!

Big sisters ROCK!

It was FINALLY present time!

Joshua thought Grandpa's Viking snuggy was funny!
This picture was taken at Joshua's request. He told me, "Grandma hold you Joshua. Mommy take a picture!"Joshua was really excited to give Grandpa his tractor hat. Joshua says it is "fancy!"
By the end of the gift opening, Joshua was fully enjoying tearing paper. He insisted my final gift - a pair of leather gloves was the "whole family's" - how could there be paper to tear and it not be for him?
Brotherly love.
Grandpa and Joshua had some fun playing tractors. They were loading poop. Joshua thinks the only thing a John Deer tractor can haul is manure, since it is the only thing he has seen Grandpa haul. Jamison was not enthused about the poop hauling.

After supper we played Bingo - a tradition passed down from my dad's Grandmother.

Here is Grandpa calling numbers.
Serious BINGO players
Happy BINGO player - see what he has won? A pop and a ring sucker - BINGO was fun! Except that you had to sit still and you could only choose one prize each time.
More serious BINGO players
Well BINGO did not last too long for this little man. When he started to get rowdy, we went upstairs to put on a concert for Grandma while she cleaned up.

Joshua, Jamison, and I left earlier than the rest. We went home, unloaded Christmas gifts, and got one tired toddler into the bath!

See the pretty blue water? Joshua loves it Addy and Ainsley. He did not want to drain it because it was so pretty. Thanks, cousins!

Whew!!!!! No wonder I was totally exhausted last night. That was a BUSY day! (FUN too, of course!) I was out like a light by 10:15 - about 15 minutes after Joshua!

Thanks mom and dad for another wonderful Christmas Day!

Today we rested. We did not leave the house. We did not cook anything difficult. We just played, snuggled, and put things away. It felt wonderful!