Christmas Day

The traditional photo on the stairs, awaiting the reveal of Santa's gifts.  Scott got all choked up because next year, Golda won't be here, and really there won't be another year where all 7 of our kids are kids, sitting on the stairs on Christmas morning.  I mean, Golda's already an adult.  It would be weird if they were in their 30's, living at home, sitting on the stairs on Christmas.  So this is it.  And it was a good one.

The only thing Araceli asked for is a reborn doll.  They're expensive, and hard to find.  Each one is made by an artist, so they're not usually found in stores.  Santa's elves got lucky with this one.  The artist made it specially for Araceli, and didn't charge a fortune, either.  Scott and I both told Araceli the doll wasn't happening.  Thanks to Santa, he was hiding behind her other presents.  She is in love.  Those are the Christmas moments that make it all worth it.

But it got better.  Scott is the world's best shopper, and always gets all the right stuff for everyone, so it's fun for Santa to surprise Scott.  And did he ever.

When we all went into the TV room on Christmas morning, nobody noticed that some of Ptolemy's gifts were propped up against...what is that?  Scott looked over in the corner at something Ptolemy got and said, "Ptolemy, what is that?"  Then he did a double take and said, "What IS that?"  Immediately, he glared at me, but it wasn't me!  It was Santa, who brought an iguana on his sleigh from the Florida Keys, especially for Ptolemy.  The kid was ecstatic.  All day, he kept saying, "I can't believe I got my own iguana."  Scott couldn't believe it either.  Hey, Santa is tricky. You'll have to ask Coco how Santa kept that iguana a secret until Christmas morning.  My mom is getting used to those pre-Christmas calls that start out, "So, I did something that might not be a good idea..."  In fact, I think my mom and dad started this tradition.  They once left us kids at the Crossroads mall alone for like three hours with no explanation.  Days later, on Christmas morning, we got an Irish Wolfhound puppy.  Did not see that one coming.

Meet Largo.  He's been such a fun pet.  He's observant, curious, friendly and loves to run up the stairs.  He eats fruits and vegetables, and he likes to get a shower from Ptolemy's squirt bottle.  When he's not playing, he loves to bask under his heat lamp.

We gave the four older kids money for their Hawaii trip.  They all knew they were going except Araceli, who we added later, because we just needed her there with us.  She was thrilled to discover her name on one of those pineapples.

Christmas breakfast at Coco and Bill's was this cake.  Remember this cake from the '70's?  It's whipped cream and chocolate wafer cookies, and it's one of those times that the sum is greater than the parts.  It's divine.

Superman cooked eggs and ham.

The kids played with Coco's music box collection.

Trajan gave Dad the Band of Brothers CD that is exchanged every year.  I think someone even opened it and watched it this year.

All our presents were from Paris.  Mom managed to save all her loot for several weeks, to give on Christmas.  It was wonderful!  Each treasure was wrapped in the paper from the Parisian store.  Charming.  Thanks, Mom!

Dad's gifts are always in white envelopes hanging on the tree. :)  We all joke, trying to trick each other, "Oh Dad, wow, five hundred dollars!  Thanks!"  Then the next person says, "Hey, I didn't know they made thousand dollar bills!"  and so on.  This time, I couldn't joke, Dad was so generous.  Thanks, Dad.

Bruce and Marlene came over in the afternoon to look at our Christmas.  I can't believe they were still going, after the Christmas extravaganza they had put on the night before, and having these cuties from Arizona staying at the house and family coming in and out at all times.  Bruce and Marlene are super human.  It's the only explanation.  They gave Scott and me a cooler and beach umbrella that got me excited for all our summer adventures.  Can't wait!

Sad to see these guys go back to AZ.

Kate and X

Largo looks pretty content, doesn't he?  I felt the same way at the end of Christmas Day.  It was magical and perfect.