Noel, Noel!

I guess it's time to finally post pictures from Christmas so that I can finish the year off and order my 2011 blog book. So, here it is.

 This is the nativity the girls made this year for our Christmas Eve program.  Oh, dear!

 And here are Mary and Joseph from behind.  I guess if your heads are made from basketballs, you have to wear sneakers instead of desert sandals.

We went to Sadies for Christmas Eve dinner this year.  It was quite tasty but I think their salsa is a little spicy for my tastes.  For a person who grew up in New Mexico, I am a shameful gringo.  By the way, I think I mentioned this in a previous post, but never get gum graft surgery right before the holidays.  It spoiled the fun of tortillas chips, toffee and pretty much any candy or cookie with nuts.  It has been four weeks since my surgery and I can finally eat normally, but the roof of my mouth still feels like I burned it and my gums are still numb in a lot of places.  And I have to do this again for the top in a few months.  Ugh!

The two "C"'s - Chad and Chance the Christmas elf!

 And now, two precious Christmas elves!

Grandma and the big silly! Amber had a great holiday.  She gota  lite brite, Husky the talking pup and a baby pillow pet; plus, she got to play with her cousin Sammy for a whole week.  They got along great until he dared to sit at her place at the kitchen table - at which point, Amber threw a terrible tantrum because she had, "...already warmed that spot up".  (It's possible that she may not have gotten quite enough rest with all the festivities.) :)

Here's the loot before the carnage began.  Every Christmas, I think that next year I'm just getting everyone gift cards to avoid the wrapping paper mess.  The boys would totally go for it, but the girls would blow a gasket.  At least Bethy and Miranda wrapped every present under the tree except their own.  That was awesome!

Angel Miranda opening her Christmas eve present.  She had been waiting for the mini bumblebee pillowpet forever!  I think everyone was pleased with their presents and of course we all gained 5 pounds over the break even with gum graft surgery.  So, I call Christmas a complete success!