Our Christmas 2009

Our 2009 Christmas Tree

I think I start out every Christmas post by saying it is so hard to believe that December is over and we are now into the new year. But this year, really really flew fast. We had a great month with family and friends. First we celebrated Hanukkah with the Teplin's, then my brother and wife came to town from CA for a visit, and then it was Christmas and the boys were leaving cookies and milk out for the jolly man himself. This year, Sam was so into it, it made me so excited. It brought back those memories of being a child all over again. The glow in his eyes when he was writing Santa a letter to the sparkle in his hop as he ran to bed that night, to the joy he received as he pounced out of bed early Christmas morning to see if Santa really did come. It was all the little things that made him happy. The cookies were gone, the milk was done and the reindeer did in fact take their carrots, but the dropped one at the door.

Let me back up one weekend. Darren & Ann (my Brother and his wife) decided to come in for the holidays a week early from California. What a great decision because our whole family was able to get together. My family from Minnesota along with all us Wisconsin-ites were able to share in the holidays. It's been some time since we all did this, and we were overjoyed to see all. Sam and Matthew enjoyed themselves beyond our expectations. They loved all the individual attention they received from cousins they never met, to uncles and aunts who live so far away and we don't get as much time as we would like. So, this is what the holiday is all about. Food, Family and togetherness.

The boys with my cousin Riley! They just loved her.

Darren and Ann

Moving onto the real Christmas Eve...writing a letter to Santa. All Sam asked for this year was a "Old Fashion Train". He drew a picture for Santa to see what he was talking about. He has this image of Santa's Elves making all the toys on Christmas Eve night and helping Santa drop them off under the tree.

Above, the cookies and the letter that was left for Santa
Below, after Santa left our home



And this was for Sam...and Old Fashioned Train set. He was thrilled. Matthew asked for a Star Wars Costume, which he got as well, but darn it, I didn't get a picture. He was also pretty excited about the train!

Nintendo DS was also another huge hit this year. Sam loves his DS and Santa also brought him a game!

Matthew just wanted Star wars "stuff", so that Santa got. So excited!

...after we opened up gifts, we showered, ate some cinnamon rolls and went over to Mimi and Papa Tom's home for Christmas Day! Merry Christmas to all, and to all another great year!