Christmas 2011

Christmas started at our house a few days early.  We woke up the morning of the 23rd to find that Santa had come just a little early so we could make it to Christmas celebrations with our extended families. This was our best Christmas yet in terms of capturing its "magic".  The night before it was impossible for Kate to sleep.

 

No one was disappointed with what Santa left for them.  Just watching how excited the kids were was enough for me!

                                                   

 Luke wasn't too interested in the whole presents thing.  He would much rather crawl around and try to eat wrapping paper scraps.  It probably didn't help that we took him to the doctor the day before with a high temp and ear infection in both ears!  Poor baby.

 

We had our traditional monkey bread and breakfast casserole Christmas morning breakfast.  Then we spent the rest of the day playing with our new toys, mostly Ben's awesome race track!

That evening we headed to Argenta to the Ruwe Christmas gathering at Drew's aunt's house.  It was wild with all the cousins running around, I think I counted 12 of them all 8 and under.  Lauren and Kate are the only two girls!  They had fun playing with their My Little Ponies while the boys ran around with their Nerf guns. 

Drew's grandma and grandpa made the trip back from Florida again this year.  Grandpa made his traditional first Christmas gift, a bench for Luke. 

The next morning was Christmas Eve and we headed to Gridley.  It was a fun, relaxing day of well, mostly eating.  There was some neighborhood excitement when the neighbor's bathroom had a small fire.  Ben enjoyed getting an up-close look at the fire trucks parked right outside our house.  And, I got to catch up with an old friend while her family waited for the all clear.  Luckily the fire was minor. 

 

 Matt and Ally were not able to make it home for Christmas.  It was sad for us not to be all together.  Thanks to Skype, we were able to open presents together even though they were 1,000 miles away!

  

Once again, no one was disappointed with their gifts.  Kate is so dramatic, it was funny to watch her reactions.  

 

 

 

 

Christmas morning we headed to church and came home to find that Santa tracked us down at Mono and Papa's and left us even more goodies!  Luke showed a little interest in opening a gift (with the help of his big brother).  And I got a pretty decent picture of my precious family!

 

Then we loaded back in the car and headed to Great Mono's in Watseka.  Here Ben got a scooter from Great Mono that he just had to try out right away!  He was so pleased with himself, riding it all around the house. 

 

We had a big meal and I spent the evening hanging out with my kiddos.

 

 

The next morning we set out for the last stop on our Christmas adventure, Shelbyville.  I can always count on having a fabulous meal when we are at Drew's parent's and this visit didn't disappoint!  Kate and Ben finally had their cousins to play with and I didn't have to be their main source of entertainment anymore.  It was so nice to sit back and relax for awhile. 

Here, Ben got the Cars fishing pole he has had his eye on for quite sometime.

 

The kids put on a concert for us, it mostly consisted of a combination of Jingle Bells and Mary Had a Little Lamb.  Even Luke got into pounding, I mean playing, the piano. 

I love this picture!  The look on the kids' faces pretty much sums up how they feel whenever Uncle Greg is around.  

And Luke took his first real steps.  He took 4-5!  He needs a sign that says, "Will walk for puppychow".  Hey, you gotta have something to motivate you!

It was lots of traveling, but another great Christmas.  We are so blessed to have such wonderful families.  Now I'm looking forward to a couple quiet days at home before Drew has to head back to work.