Christmas!!

The grandparents arrived in shifts on Christmas Day, and we worked our way to a nice Christmas dinner in the late afternoon with all grandparents and our neighbors, Tom & Paula.  The kids - and we - are very blessed to have them all in our lives!

That's marker all over his face

A picture of Joey while the rest of us feasted on prime rib

Tom helping Joey with the train.  I have a feeling he's having even more fun than Joey.

This year, we had "musical crackers" - and we performed Christmas carols with our whistles, courtesy of Conductor Julie

Melanie playing hostess

Somehow, Aunt Julie got seated at the kid table.

"I love my Papa"

Doctor Barbie

Christmas Morning!

Melanie avoided the topic of Santa before bed on Christmas Eve.  Her thought was, "Christmas is tomorrow, that's when Santa is coming."  She had helped bake the cake for Jesus' birthday to leave for Santa, but wouldn't help me leave it out (along with the carrots requested for the reindeer).  So she was pretty surprised to wake up on Tuesday morning to all of the presents.  We started the day just the four of us at the house, and had several "phases" of Christmas throughout the day.  Merry Christmas everyone!

Santa came, he saw, he left some loot

Delayed gratification present - Going to Disney on Ice in late January

Daddy reading Melanie the letter that Santa left for her

This was a very "Toy Story" Christmas for Joey.

Melanie eventually decided to trade her Razor scooter in for a "safer" model

Each year, Joey gets a little overwhelmed by all of the Christmas activities....This year he fell asleep in the middle of them, with an unopened gift still waiting.

After all the toys were opened, the kids were found playing with the existing iPad and iPhone

Yorkville Christmas

We didn't get to see the Yorkville Worzalas for Christmas this year, but they took good care of us!  We decided to open their gifts on Christmas Eve, to start the celebration early, and to somewhat pace the kids for the craziness of the next day!  Thank you for all of the great presents - we all are enjoying them!

Ready for some presents!

Ready!

Melanie providing gift-unwrapping assistance

Hello Kitty and Disney crafts - right up Mel's alley!

Lounging amongst the presents.

Pirate Ship from Uncle Rick & Aunt Sandy!

The pirate ship has provided hours of entertainment!

Enjoying paints from Becky!

Family Christmases

On Saturday the 22nd, we had our "Worzala Christmas," where the adults actually enjoyed a dinner out while the kids were watched by the sitters at the Bridgewater Country Club.  All of us stayed the night at Grandma & Papa's that night, and a good time was had by all!

On Sunday, the 23rd, we had our "Doan Christmas" before Molly headed to Sellersburg for the week.  Dinner and craziness at 801!

Children's Museum

We went to the Children's Museum winter exhibits before Christmas.  I missed getting a picture of Mel going down the "big slide" - and of course the kids didn't want to see Santa.  They "ice skated" in their socks, went ice fishing, along with the other displays.

Caught the big fish!

Carousel riding

Playing house

Santa!

I hope that when my children are older, I can truly torment them with the fact that they were both terrified of Santa for their formative years.  This was as close as either of my kids got to the big guy this year.  This was at the TPA Park in Frankfort; I wanted to drive back through and ask Santa to stand on Joey's side, so I could at least get them both with him.  Mel did manage to ask him for a couple of things (Tinkerbell and a scooter) during this "visit."

Dulle's Tree Farm + Frankfort Christmas Parade

The first weekend in December, we "helped" Gigi and Aunt Julie pick out a tree from Dulle's Tree Farm.  Our tree came from Marsh :)  The kids had a great time playing, and the weather was great!  After the tree farm, we were able to watch the Frankfort Christmas Parade, and even saw Charlie & Sammie there!

One of many trips down the slide

Molly taking care of Joey, showing him the ropes down the slide

The girls' new friend

Couldn't get the kids to pose with us

Joey's a big help to Gigi

Scoping it all out

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Waiting in line

All kinds of fun to have at a tree farm!

Hay!

Fun at the Frankfort Christmas parade