I'd like to start out by saying that we got in late, the kids didn't have their baths and Christian WILL be getting his hair cut this week. Yes, they have horrible bed head - welcome to mornings at the Butler household :) Yes, Gabriel is wearing a turtleneck under his sleeper - Daddy says he insisted. Yes, I realize I am not in any of these pictures and no I didn't take them. I'm sick, need a shower, look like snot and just don't feel like having my picture taken. On that note, hope you all have a Merry Christmas!
Our classroom has recently merged with the living room. This made for a more organized Christmas morning. I'll be refinishing these desks, one by one, as time permits. I've got Gabe's in the basement being done now. I'll post pictures when they all get done. The kids LOVE having their desks in the living room. They have taken to eating lunch at them as often as possible. Here the boys get ready to open their stockings.
Gabriel is excited to find 3 Hot Wheels in his stocking. Also some Legos and a new Herbie and several other goodies.
Nicolas got a Sudoku book. We LOVE Sudoku around here.
Gabriel got a new Diego ornament.
Christian got a set of Bible storybooks. He loves books.
Nicolas got Matthew a pack of new Army guys. Mattie loves them.
Gabriel got a Diego activity book from his big brother, Nicolas.
Grandpa and Nana sent lots of stuff for the boys. Matthew opens a bug making kit for all of the boys. They also got gift cards to Toys R Us and Mattie, not knowing what a gift card was, was so disappointed when he said, "All I got was this thing". He had no idea. However, this week when we go to Toys R Us he will be really excited. Daddy explained to him that he gets to go buy any toy he wants from TRU and he thought that was very, very cool! They are also looking forward to a couple of Happy Meals they will be getting from McDonalds. Thanks Nana and Grandpa :)
Nicolas got Christian a couple of Pez. These were some of Christian's favorite gifts - he LOVES Pez.
All the boys got Nicolas this Tony Stewart car. Nicolas LOVES Tony Stewart and this is his last year driving the Home Depot car. Nicolas got several Tony Stewart collectibles for Christmas.
Gabriel opens a bunch of little cowboys and horses from Nick.
We got Matthew his first Tiger Cub things for scouts next year. Matthew can hardly wait to be a cub scout.
Matthew likes his new Spiderman ornament. I was unable to find a Linus ornament this year and I am so bummed about that.
Matthew got a Great Wolf Lodge mug this year. Each year one of the kids gets a mug with their name on it from the Lodge. We are in a real pickle as the do not sell a Gabe or Gabriel mug... whatever will we do next year???
Matthew doesn't look like it, but he is really happy about his set of storybook CDs for playing in the car. He got 6 new ones this year :)
Christian, Matthew & Gabriel all got bags of Rescue Heroes. They love to play with these guys. I scored a great deal off of craigslist for a HUGE set of them for a steal at $30 - Yippee! Divided between the 3 boys they each got a huge gift bag full of them. Tomorrow I'll be off to find a tote big enough to hold all of them.
Gabriel really loves his Rescue Heroes firetruck.
Christian holds his Santa present.
He is so happy to finally have Cover Your Tracks - he fell in love with this game at a local bookstore.
Skippy Jon Jones has been a part of our family for a few years now. It is a long and funny story about this "bad cat". We've got no idea where he came from but we just stumbled upon the books. Who knew? Anyhow, we were so excited when Santa sent the books so we could learn more about this bad cat who is always getting into trouble around here :)
Santa sent Nicolas a Tanagrams puzzle w/ book.
Santa brought Gabriel a bag of rocks that he really, REALLY wanted! He is so happy. A little funny about the rocks, I've had to explain to Gabriel that Santa didn't STEAL the rocks from the Great Wolf Lodge, ha ha. He thought Santa stole them for him - kids, they are so funny.
And, the Grand Finale:
Gabriel opens the gift sent from Grandma Judy. You can't see him but Nicolas is near hysterical on the side of this photo.
All the boys, Steve included, are so excited and appreciative of this over the top gift! Thanks, Grandma Judy!
Uncle David & the family sent the boys this sports accessory set :) Thanks!!!
Steve opens the extra remote David sent him. We'll be careful to wear the safety straps when we play our new wii - no one wants our tv to get broken!
And, don't forget that though the presents are all so very fun, we celebrate this special day because the gift of all gifts, Christ Jesus, was born for all of us. We give gifts of love in rememberance of His precious birth. Merry Christmas to you all!
