Christmas, part 2

After our visit with Nana, we rushed home to see what Santa had left under the tree. Up until this time, Mateo was most excited about Santa bringing candy canes. After this moment, he was still most excited about the candy canes. Although Santa also brought this super cool tunnel that serves as Mateo's fort.

Kevin's family joined us in the early afternoon with the exception of Gabby Jan, who wasn't feeling well. One of Mateo's favorite gifts was this padded hockey stick from Uncle Kurt. A toddler computer from Aunt Pat, a train set from Papa and Gabby Etherton, and a trampoline from Papa and Gabby Meyer also ranked high on his list. As did a number of empty pop bottles. Kids are funny, aren't they?

Christmas, part 1

Christmas morning was expectedly quiet as we made a quick visit to exchange gifts with Grandma Vi. Not entirely quiet, though, as the whirling dervish you see in the photo is representative of Mateo after a night of interrupted sleep and a breakfast of cinnamon rolls. He ended up in a timeout after biting a chunk out of the handle of Nana's walker.

In the other photo, Grandma is wearing magic gloves: initially they were too small, then they were the wrong style, then they turned into money. Ooh-ahh.

More Christmas Eve

Additional photos - and yes, Aunt Diane and Mom DID go to church like that. Sara was also sporting some gold in her classy ensemble, but I don't have a good photo. This raises a point, Meyers - we need to do a big group photo next year, okay?

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was a blast - Corey and Sara did a super job hosting the event at the farmstead. The festivities started with a portion of the crew heading off to church services, another few trekking out in the woods to find a lost flashlight, Sara's dad preparing to fry a turkey, and the remainder getting a headstart on the all-important eating/drinking/gabbing. Cousin Andrea won "The Most God-awful Christmas outfit" award in her gift-laden cardigan and red tights (isn't she cute?), although it was a close contest with two golden sweaters, a tree skirt, a Bush-Cheney polo shirt, pleated green corduroys and many other items hunted down at thrift stores and rescued from the dark recesses of closets. The night ended with a handful of brave souls being judged by Randy, Paula and Simon in American Idol karaoke. I don't seem to have audio of that. (You're welcome.)