It's a family affair

The whole fam-damnly. Very nice.

Despite the icy rain, we got a couple nice family pictures in front of the tree & in the back yard. It was so foggy, the background almost looks fake.

The kids all got ice cream. Grandma said it was to celebrate Mike's birthday, but I'm pretty sure they would have gotten the cones regardless. :) They are also aloud to blow bubbles in their milk & eat popcorn on the bunk beds. All pleasures I didn't have when I was a wee one:).

I think Papa might be getting the new baby bug...

Aunt Jenn also looked like she was getting the "bug" again... She's halfway to the baseball team Grandpa always wanted!

Although we typically open presents first thing in the morning, the bad weather kept the krewe home, so we didn't go Christmas Crazy until right before dinner...

Papa hates presents, but he was a very good sport & helped Alexander open his presents from Aunt Jenn, Santa & Grandma.

Ethan also did a fabulous job helping Alexander! E hit a wall at the packing tape, but I guess that's why they made Mamas?

Aunt Jenn hit the mark with A's first Christmas present; a donation to the World Wildlife Federation.

Papa might hate opening presents, but Mama hates the idea of spending money giving thought-less, un-necessary presents and the commercialization of Christ's birth in general. So, our nearly gift-less Christmas 2009 was perfect. Although we said no presents, Mama & Papa were the only ones who kept the promise. But we can't complain, because the surprise presents we extra thoughtful & all necessary in our daily lives.

Thank you my darlings.

If you are wondering about Sarah's crazy laugh... Grandpa taught her the K-rated version of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer... "Grandma's Underwear" anyone?

Note for posterity... Baby Alexander is cutting 4+ molars & 2 K9 teeth, still has a snotty nose & is pulling at both ears. Oh, and he has a terrible cough. Baby Charlotte has an ear infection. Sarah has strep throat. Ethan is still on steroids for whatever bronchial infection he has. And Norah is on antibiotics for an otherwise undisclosed infection. Yet the crying, drama & overall Christmas Chaos wasn't too bad.

I'm thankful for you all. XOXO