We had a great time over Christmas - celebrating with both sides of Marty's family and my own.  The kids played, took short or sometimes non-existent naps, we ate lots of food, and the kids got enough toys to fully stock Toys 'R Us.

We spent Christmas Eve morning with Marty's mom, brother and sister-in-law.  It was fun to watch the kids play with everyone and to spend time together.  Here's Sophie, sporting her new fancy coat from Grandma Lou:


We gave the kids a kitchen set, some plastic food and chef hats.  They've been very busy making us lunch, doing pretend dishes and serving up meals.  It sort of makes me wish that the kitchen actually worked (sort of like a REAL kitchen, but you know, without the danger).


Later that night, we joined Marty's family down the street at his Aunt and Uncle's house.  It seems like it's pretty rare that we have a picture with just the two of us in it.  In fact, now that I think about it, it probably wasn't such a good idea to leave the kids unattended.  They were probably ripping into other people's presents or trying to serve up wine to the guests.


Santa arrived at The Nelson's for a short visit and came bearing gifts (apparently he shops at World Market).  Over his shyness from the day before, Martin ran to get a child-sized wing-back chair and pulled up next to Santa.  When Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas, Martin told him that he wanted "a toymaker, so I can make LOTS of toys".  That boy, he's a genius.  He totally gets the "three more wishes" concept and figured out how to apply it to Santa.  Brilliant.


On Christmas morning, we went to my parents house to join the Mitchell family.  We opened more presents, had more tasty food, and spent a nice day together.


After we had lunch, my dad and Uncle Steve took the kids out onto the ice for a sled ride behind the Ranger.  Luckily my dad showed some restraint, remembering that his cargo held little ones and didn't put them into the power whip.


Since then, we've been busy cleaning up the house, putting away presents, cleaning out the fridge, doing laundry and getting back to work.  I am basically ignoring all of the Christmas decorations that are still up at our house, hoping that I'll wake up some morning and someone will have magically taken everything down and boxed it up for next year.  Maybe next year I'll have Martin add that to his list for Santa.