Christmas!

This Christmas was a little different in that I had arthroscopic knee surgery on the 21st, very minor surgery, but the first week or so was rough still. Christmastime with 2 small children is busy anyway, but then add in not being able to walk, and it was a little much for me at first. Luckily after about 4 or 5 days I was feeling pretty good and getting around much better. I can now say 3 weeks later that I am doing much better and am hopeful that my knee will be nicer to me now!

So, all that aside, Christmas began on the 23rd at my parents house with much of the extended family, a delicious turkey dinner, and a kid gift night.

The cousins that were there to open gifts together!

Grady's loot! He was thrilled- thanks Jeff & Kenzi! Kendall loved her Little Mermaid toy too, but I didn't get very many pictures taken (especially considering that she was much faster than me), so thank you too Aunt Beth &Uncle Dan!
 

The kiddos spent the night with my parents that night to give us a little prep-time, and then they all came back down to our house on Christmas Eve. Derek made a nice dinner and we hungout at home. Grady spread reindeer food out front and left cookies and milk for Santa.

Santa came and sure brought a lot of goodies with him!

Grady was thrilled that Santa brought him a bike, and spent a good part of the morning with his helmet on. He also got goggles and gloves for riding quads from Papa Mike, and he insisted on wearing those too for his first ride outside. Kendall enjoyed Christmas, but was mostly interested in the food items that she received in her stocking and hanging out with the doggie, Blondie. She opened a few gifts on her own, but I don't think any of them were even for her :)

Grady however LOVED opening presents. He pretty much opened everyone's gifts for them. I don't think I got to open one present this year- G assisted instead. And if he got stuck on a tricky box, or if he discovered that it's contents were something "boring" (clothes), then he would just toss the gift aside and move on to the next. It was pretty entertaining. This year's unwrapping went much more quickly than the previous years.

New Toy Story blanket that Grandma made!

Halfway point. Break for breakfast!

Of course, we were all in our Christmas jammies all morning and had to get a family shot when we were done with the presents. Easier said than done. We took about 10 pics that looked something like the pic on the left, but I think we got an OK one with the one on the right :)

I wasn't great at taking pictures as I was sitting with my knee elevated most of the time, but we did also get to have my grandparents and Aunt Susie & Uncle Tom come join us for Christmas dinner. Derek did a wonderful job cooking a turkey on the BBQ and making all the fixings. He slaved away all day and we had a gorgeous Christmas dinner. I am so very lucky to have a hubby who cooks (and cooks well)! Grady really bonded with "Thomas"- making him play outside, play CandyLand, and help with his bath. I was so glad that we could have family over for Christmas day!

All in all, a wonderful Christmas! We are so blessed!