The Day After Christmas...

...has been a quiet day. Yesterday was wonderful. I really enjoyed the whole day. Tom and I got out of bed when we heard movement upstairs. Neither of us wanted to be the reason little boys had to wait to open their presents. I didn't want to miss anything, either! When we got to the main floor of the house, we found Jen busily preparing brunch in anticipation of the arrival of Jay's family later in the day. We helped with the preparations until Jay, TJ, Zach and Ryan were ready to join the family under the Christmas tree in the living room. I hadn't realized how much I had missed watching little ones on Christmas morning. It was SO much fun to see Zach get excited about SpongeBob slippers, and to watch Ryan take each present out of the packaging to play with it before moving on to the next one. At 10:00, all the extended Dunning family arrived -- John and Barbie, Jay's parents arrived with brother Ben, closely followed by his sister Elizabee and her husband John. They brought more presents and we started with letting the boys open their gifts from the family. The sweetest moment for me came when Ryan was called back into the living room from playing with a new toy in the kitchen to open a BIG package from Uncle TJ. The look on his face when Ben held it up and said "This is for YOU!" was absolutely precious. All the adults who could see it laughed with delight. Unfortunately, TJ (the gift-giver) was behind Ryan and didn't get to see his face light up. He was pleased with Ryan's reaction when the gift of a Thomas the Tank Engine train set was opened, though. Ryan loves Thomas.

The second sweetest moment was when Ryan open a "Fridge Phonics" alphabet learning gift. He cried out "I LUB the ABCs! I LUB the ABCs!" How cute is he?

Zach had some moments of excitement, as well. He was very pleased with the Tube Trax set and started creating marble paths right away. Uncle TJ gave Zach a "RoboSapien." The toy robot was firmly strapped into the packaging. Zach tried really hard to be patient while Daddy struggled for several minutes with all the twist ties and tape. They took the robot to the family room downstairs so there would be room to play. Once they were ready, Zach was able to make the robot dance! Ryan's reaction to this was hysterical! He tried to imitate the movements of the toy, laughing out loud the whole time. Ryan and Zach had lots of silly fun with the new toy.

In the meantime, Jen had set out the food and we helped ourselves to cinnamon buns, a breakfast casserole, orange juice and eggnog. Everyone was enjoying the day so much, they stayed until it was time for us (TJ, Tom and myself) to go to my parents house for more celebration and family fun. Jen pulled together a nice table of dessert type stuff to stave off starvation just before we left. It is a good thing her Daddy tends to overdo the food when he shops for a party, since she wasn't actually planning on having a second serving of food. Jen, Jay and the boys played games with the Dunnings until it was time for them to go to Linda and Bob's for the Scheide family celebration. We were planning to there after dinner and gifts at Mom and Dad's, just to say 'hello.'

We had lots of fun at Mom and Dad's. It was great to see the newest members of the family. Patrick and Colin were happy boys, and it was great to see that the MEN were playing with them and holding them readily. My favorite thing that happened there was when my Dad was giving out the gifts. He came to an envelope addressed to himself and Mom. Mom was talking and he had a hard time getting her to hear him. So he said 'Attention!' and the whole room got quiet. Then he said to Mom 'I have an envelope here addressed to us. And it says Orioles on it. And it feels good!' Jenny was so happy to hear that Pop enjoyed his Christmas gift of a Holiday four pack, to include Opening Day!

We were having a great time, but we decided to leave at 8:00 to go to the Scheide celebration. Tom called Jen to let them know we were on the way. Jen called back shortly afterward to say everyone was leaving, but they were going to get together at Renee and Sue's for Christmas Caroling on Wednesday. So we would get to see them then. So we got to stay and help clean up a bit and visit even more. Yay! It was a wonderful holiday. We were blessed to have the whole family under one roof on Christmas morning and to have the opportunity to see so many members of our extended families, too. We look forward to seeing everyone else later in the week.

I hope everyone had as good a Christmas as we did. What is you favorite memory of the day?

I'm loving Grandma time!

Jen had a hair appointment this morning, so she asked me to look after Ryan while she was gone. I had a great time. We played cars under the kitchen sink. Ryan likes to climb into cabinet and close the door behind him. Then he listens and waits while Grandma wonders where he might be and finally opens the doors to find him in there with a great big smile on his face. We watched The Wiggles and danced along with them. We played 'run-to-Grandma-for-big-hugs' repeatedly. We had homemade chocolate chip cookies and milk for snacktime, and Uncle TJ and Chief played 'pass-Ryan-back-and-forth' while he giggled happily. Lunch was 'ABCs and 123s' and a glass of milk. Mommy came home just at naptime. Chief read him The Puppy Story and he is now currently in the arms of Morpheus.

This afternoon I will go do some grocery shopping and maybe a little last minute Christmas shopping with my son. I love this!

We're he'ere!

ELEVEN hours on the road....we were on track to make it in about eight and a half hours until we hit DC traffic. Two and a half hours later, we finally broke out of the snarl and got here safely. TJ was already here. He looks great! He's been regaling us with stories of his foolish youth...lots of laughs. More later.

On our way out the door...

...as soon as I get the travel snacks in the car! I am really looking forward to this visit.

Merry Christmas, everybody!

TJ's on his way...

...and making great time! He's in Missouri already and expects to arrive at Jen's by early evening tomorrow. He'll probably get there before we do!

I was hoping to have time to help the nephews make peanut butter cookies (TJ's childhood favorite) before he got there, but I guess we'll have to let him help. That is, if any of them will pay any attention to me at all. The little boys will be wrestling with, climbing and riding on their uncle and their grandpa every chance they get!

I guess that will leave me time to enjoy with my daughter. :) Hee!

I'm so excited!

Our son left New Mexico yesterday and is making his way across the country as I type, our daughter is in the last trimester of waiting for her baby girl, and we leave tomorrow for Christmas with our family! So many blessings! I am eager to see everyone. Can't wait!!!

OK, so now I have a blog, too.

The only way to comment on my friends' daughter's blog was to have a blogger account. Since I have one I decided to use it. My own daughter has been encouraging me to start a blog anyway...I have a lot to learn, so this will be very elementary in the beginning. I'm hoping to improve as things go along.

Preparations for Christmas are in full swing. The house is decorated, presents are wrapped, some cookies have been baked, and the packing for the trip North to be with our daughter is being organized. Hubby is busily woodworking in the garage, making his 'Christmas giveaway' gifts. He got a late start this year, so friends in Europe will be getting packages after Christmas. Ooops. I hope we will be forgiven...

Today, our son leaves New Mexico to move to the East Coast. We got an email from him last night entitled "I'll Be Home For Christmas." Very poignant, since this is the first time he will be home for Christmas in six years -- ever since he joined the Air Force. He spent three of those Christmases in the desert. It's our first time home for Christmas in four years -- ever since we went to Europe on assignment for the Air Force. I'm so excited! Our whole family -- parents, children and grandchildren -- will be under the same roof on Christmas morning! We're going to our daughter's house, which is also close to the extended family. While we are there, we will get to see both sides of the family, as well. WooHoo!

I guess I'd better go get things ready...

Merry Christmas!