Christmas Day

 Ruby wanted a violin, dance stuff and a computer

 Tziporah wanted twin dolls.

 Golda wanted sketch things, books and dance stuff.

 Ptolemy wanted that beanie boo you see in the front.

 Freestone wanted Skylanders.  Don Carlos wanted a new bed!

 Araceli wanted ballet stuff, a sewing machine and yarn.

 Xanthe wanted something we couldn't find, and she didn't ask for it until Christmas Eve.  Fortunately, she had forgotten by Christmas morning!  She also wanted a beanie boo.

 It wasn't horrendously early, but some of the kids were sleepy!

 Everyone was ecstatic!  Except Tziporah.  We were dying laughing.  She looked at her pile of gifts and said simply, "No."  Each thing we pointed out, she said dispassionately, "No.  I don't want that."  She wasn't sad or upset.  Just "no."  Finally, she warmed up and got enthused about, of all things, a matching game.  She ended up being quite excited about all of it, but it was so funny when she went through everything and rejected all of it!

 Golda invited us all up to her room to give us gifts.  She wrote each person a nice note and had a gift under her tree for each of us.  She is so thoughtful, and her room is peaceful.

 Thank you, Golda!  You are a remarkable young woman.

 Araceli got right to work and made a shirt and some messenger bags for the little kids to take when they go to Disneyland.  Santa Claus had left the fabric, hoping Araceli would do the work for him!

 Very pleased!

Tziporah is going to be my ski buddy next year!  I'll have to talk her out of the princess dress and ballet slippers, though.

 Playing with apps.

 Xanthe's karaoke machine

 It hadn't snowed all season, and we woke up to a white Christmas.  Somebody's prayers were answered, it seemed!  It snowed softly all day long.

I love this path to my parents' house.  It is such a blessing living near them, and Josh and Emily.

 The gleeful mayhen continued at Coco's, where we all got spoiled.  I guess she didn't really "cut down this year."  LOL!

 Blowing the traditional whistle.

 Action shot.  Is there any other kind with boys!?

 Sweet little girls!

 Every year, this gift is given.  It's the weirdest tradition!

My dad, AKA Superman!

 Grandma and Grandpa stopped by to say Merry Christmas and see the kids' shining faces.

 Or defiant princess faces!

 This one is adorable, no?  Her last Christmas as a "kid."

 Oh, and she got a car.  We got the Cadillac up and running right in time for a Christmas delivery!

 So peaceful and beautiful.

 I had to take a picture peeking into our living room, the kids playing, the lights glowing.  It was heaven.

 Araceli was excited for our beach trip and painted this to get us in the mood!

 The shirt she made.

 It wasn't until the next day that we went to see Nana, with all the snow and Christmas stuff.  Samantha and MacKenzie had been up there to shovel her out and wish her a Merry Christmas, but she didn't want to go anywhere on those icy roads!

 It's been a year since Don Carlos joined our family.  Freestone says Donny is his best friend.  We've all fallen in love.  I think I say this every year, but this was our best Christmas ever.  Scott is such a great dad, and so in touch with each kid's desires and wishes.  I am thankful and content and with the people I love.  That's all there is.