Heir Gordon: Christmas 2015

A.k.a. - First Christmas (or was this the second, third or fourth) this year?

Well, our little elves said farewell to "Elfie" for 2015 on Christmas Eve, in hopes that Numero Uno Elf would visit instead.

They drifted quietly and soundly to dreamland and awoke as normal on Christmas morning, Matthew chatting to himself in his crib, and Libby waiting until 7 a.m. as normal vacation or weekend hour requires, before coming to our room for a little snuggle time. After she roused us enough, we went to get Matthew, read the Bible story again, and I came down to ready the scene - turn the Christmas tree lights on, get my camera, etc. I really did try NOT to look at the gifts, so I could see what Santa brought when the children did.

As they patiently waited upstairs, ALL the babies got in the crib together!

And at the top of the stairs.

And then they came down.

We missed the very initial reaction on video, but I got the "walking in" photos.

And you can see that they got the requested sled - actually TWO of them! Plus, Libby got the telescope she asked for from Santa.

And a bit of video:

Libby also liked the earmuffs Santa brought her! They have indeed remained a staple of her outdoor wear, especially since it has actually become cold these last few days.

And while we have yet to take it outside (first, SO RAINY; then, so cold) for it to make bubbles, Matthew has enjoyed pushing his new mower around inside the house.

Libby also especially enjoyed hew new nightgown from Commissioner and has worn it a ton since Christmas- including that night. And over the other pjs that very day!

And Matthew is still waiting on me to find an electric air pump to fill the green Wubble that Libby picked out on her own and purchased with her own piggybank money just for Matthew.

AND Matthew got the first of multiple "Lightening McQueen" cars, too. And the first of a TON of cars, too. We have a new "transportation station" (basket) now in the den for his many cars, trolleys, trains, and more.

Matthew got "Go, Dog, Go" by P.D. Eastman and asked Daddy to read it to him immediately.

My two favorite gifts were books! No surprise there. One was from Libby and Daddy for Matthew and me, a special edition of "Goodnight Moon" as read by Michael and Libby! Matthew and I were so touched and we love it.

AND I got "'I Gotta Tell You Somethin' Mama: The Quotable Matthew Gordon" picture and storybook by Michael and Matthew for Libby and me!

Libby also got a wonderful pair of skates from Mama and Daddy! And she is loving them. Wore them around the house a bunch and even brought them to Mema and Boobus' house for the next Christmas celebration on Saturday and wore them there. I was so delighted that she has been so delighted by them. She has been practicing outside here, too.

Breakfast time finally arrived, was quickly eaten, and we were all excited for the grandparents' arrival, too! But first, Libby needed to try out her hair chalk that Matthew gave her -- and Matthew did, too!

And arrive they did! We had to remove the coffee table to fit ourselves in with all the gifts that arrived. Seriously, who needs Santa when your grandparents are the Gordons and Hodges?!

There are fewer photos of the actual gift-opening than I recall, because it went on for QUITE some time. Many gifts were excitedly given and received, and of course Santa was generous with stockings at their houses, too! Michael got a bunch of new (old) CDs he wanted.

Libby also delighted us with more special gifts that she made, including this Santa handprint ornament and a beautiful cube one with photos of her and her sweet brother.

The grandparents received their traditional calendars of course, and they also got new portraits of Matthew this year! They turned out SO PRECIOUS. http://moblalbum.com/ninjxwc0prhk

The kids received some new musical instruments... wonderful.

And these so great paintings from my mom! I found similar ones in a catalogue and mentioned how much I liked them. So of course my wonderful mom remembered and recreated them!

Matthew got this great new race track, which is huge. I thought I wasn't going to be a big fan, but the kids have spent HOURS playing with it and it is among my favorites of the gifts they got for Christmas this year.

Matthew also got his first helmet for tricycle-riding and such!

And Libby got a fun, cute and much-needed new backpack for school, too.

And Matthew-boy got these beloved new slippers!

"Light'en!" Yes, it was a car, truck and train-heavy Christmas.

We had to take breaks during present time because it was just a lot for the babies. Nap time was serious, too. Libby, Diddy and Papa went on a nature walk for a long time up to the playground and around the neighborhood to use her new binoculars. And the neighbors' young granddaughter surprised us with a visit to jump on our trampoline!

We got a bit thrown off with timing, but of course, I never quite start the chicken frying early enough based on the excessive amount I always buy at Christmas. One does want leftovers you know. Dinner was so good as always. And our viewing of "White Christmas" was as entertaining as ever.

Gigi made a delicious breakfast for the next morning as Michael and I overslept a bit (whoops)!

It's always sad when everyone heads home, but I do appreciate getting to go to celebrate more Christmas, more family (and more delicious food).

We had a wonderful time in Rome at Mema and Boobus' house with my parents, the Krafts, Mema and Boobus and Mema Mabel, too!

I think the pictures tell most of the story best, but we had a lovely time all together. Libby got lots of skating practice in. The kids had fun playing with everyone, and I think everyone had fun playing with them, too.