Merry Christmas!

It looks like some of Santa's helpers made an appearance during the night. What could that huge thing be?


The kids actually let us sleep until about 8, which was very much appreciated after being up so late wrapping. Then in the morning, I sneaked into Coree's room and had the kids wrap this special present for Cliff that had been hiding in Coree's closet and put it "under" the tree. Then I got him out of bed and we headed out to let the fun begin.



Of course, we start with stockings. Jake was tickled with his Swiss-Army utensil knife.



And all of the kids were stoked that this was SIX, full-size Toblerone bars, and not just a package of pieces. Would I skimp like that?



Cliffie does a great stocking...especially with my help. Actually, he always does great on his own, but I still manage to find makeup and other little things for him to give to me, too. It's an excuse to get just what I want without feeling guilty for splurging. Stocking stuffers are essential, right?



The annual summer sausage. Some people do apples and oranges...Cliff does meat...what can I say?



Jake opening a gift that was one of many in the Nerf theme.



Does that look like a happy boy? I think it does.



This gift, Grandpa Jim helped us collaborate on. Apple doesn't ship here, so we had to do the mailbox shuffle. Normally, I refuse to do that (and just won't patronize the company) but Apple does sell through the BX here...they are just out of everything at Christmas time.



Here's another clever shirt. LOVE the NYC theme...and Patrick loved getting more money for his trip!



I do not know HOW this one escaped my radar all these years. It is spectacular. I'm so glad to have my own copy to add to the "must be played every Christmas" collection, along with It's a Wonderful Life, Elf and A Christmas Story.



I heart this shirt so much! I can't speak highly enough of Snorgtees. It was so tough to narrow down the selection. Coree got one with a giraffe that says, "Moo...I'm a goat." Yes, totally random...but any of you who know how much Coree adores giraffes, and what a bizarre sense of humor she has, know that it was as if it was designed for her.



I like to fool him into thinking it's a shirt...



When really it's his own box of heaven.



Speaking of giraffes, this book had some adorable giraffe shots, so I had to share them with Coree.



Isn't this adorable? I do have a Christmas ornament fetish...and next year, when I put this on the tree, I'll be thinking of how proud I am of him.



Jake is really the only one still young enough for toys...but that doesn't stop Patrick from playing, too.



And look what was in that big old box? The sweetest part...this was a complete steal. I don't know whether to be proud or embarrassed to tell you how little we paid for this. This was on clearance and is an AAFES brand (just for the military), made by Toshiba. Let's just hope it's a really special deal for the military...and not a "special" deal. At least it came with a year guarantee.



From the looks of the carnage, it seems to be a pretty successful haul, all around.



I know Daddy thinks so! But the kids didn't even blink at the boxes of sugar-cereal I put at each of their places at the table (an idea I stole from Brenda, thank you very much). But they sure did eat plenty of it later on. There were plenty of gifts not pictured here. Troy got Settler's of Catan, which we can't wait to play. (No, we've never played it...don't judge.) And Jake got Nerf gun after Nerf gun.

The biggest surprise of all? An iPad for me (or as I like to call it...the world's most expensive calendar). I seriously love it most for the calendar feature and I feel so organized. Cliff went way overboard, but I'm not complaining. And since I spent about 1/3 as much on his gift...he's not complaining, either!