Christmas at the Monsons

Our Christmas was truly wonderful, full of good food, good late night talks, and lots of visits from family. On Christmas Day, we did our Santa and family gifts in the morning, took a break for delicious brunch and naps, and then went back to opening grandparent presents in the early evening. The celebration literally lasted all day, which was especially nice...the girls do well with the "play as you go" Christmas plan. Here is a quick recap of some highlights.

The candy trail! When my sister was here for Christmas with her family last year, we adopted their tradition of leaving a candy trail from the girls' room to their Santa presents. It takes a lot of candy to get all the way downstairs, but the girls loved it last year so this might be a new Monson family tradition as well.

All ready to go with their Easter baskets to gather the goods.

Vanna's candy trail led to her Santa gift, a washer and dryer set
that Santa's top elf (a.k.a. Daddy) stayed up until 5 in the morning to finish. (Kindly disregard the sawdust on the floor.)

Julia's sawdust laden candy trail took her to her Santa gift,
a new telescope so she can look at the stars with Santa's top elf.

The girls were so excited about this...after all, pretending to do

laundry is much funner than actually doing it.

Even Lex got in on the fun.

This one from Aunt La & Aunt Amy was a big hit.
Vanna loves this movie like crazy.

Julia got an art kit from La & Amy and
got her creative juices flowing right away.

The girls got robes and bath pillows...

...and of course, the beloved pillow pets.

 This bad boy had been on the Christmas list since June.
Thanks, Grandma Linda!

Vanna got a more user-friendly (plush) bank

that actually squeals when you put money in.

Lex was a little confused about what we wanted
her to do, but she was a good sport.

                                                

Such a wonderful time was had by all.

Best. Present. Ever.

Okay, so before I give you a detailed account of all of our Christmas festivities (which were delightful, amazing, and brimming with blessings) I must take a moment to highlight the most awesome gift of the year. (For me, that is. I don't remember what the kids got.)

In the weeks before Christmas, Craig was diligently working away on the computer, doing a secret project for me. I had no idea what it was, but we had a running joke that he was putting together a portrait of me from tiny little pictures of our girls, a la Disneyland's 50th Anniversary. (I tell you, being clueless does have its perks sometimes, 'cause I sure love a good surprise.) Naturally, my curiosity was piqued as the days went by and he started slamming his laptop shut any time I walked near him. And, try as I may, I could not get that sly fox (and I mean fox) to drop any helpful hints. I was even banned from our online credit card statement for the last few days of December because there was a transaction there that was sure to ruin the surprise. (Pure torture, I tell you. How the heck else was I supposed to stare at our credit card balance for hours at a time and will it to go back down?) 

So, I was forced to wait patiently (and by "patiently," I mean not patiently at all) until December 25 to find out what all the weeks of secrecy were all about. And then I had to open all my other presents first. (Have I mentioned torture already?) Imagine my joy and shock when I opened this little gem: two years of my blog. In a book. Printed, published, and tied with a bow.

Look at that happy girl. She wasn't quite sure what she was getting into when she married her handsome, computer-literate husband who also happens to be a little sneaky. It sure paid off, though.

Did I already say best present ever?

Obligatory Door Sign

I have to admit how proud I am that one of Julia's first solo-writing projects was this lovely sign for her bedroom door, sounded out and written with no help from moi.

"Yes grls oulad. No boes ulad."

Need she say more?

Have You Contemplated Your Belly Button Lately?

So, I was writing a paper for my English class tonight, and I was using the thesaurus feature to find a different word for "introspection." (Yes, we are old friends, computer thesaurus and I. Just what I need when the inevitable Marshmallow Brain sets in.) You will never guess what suggestion Number 7 was.

Navel-gazing.

That's right...staring at the belly button. Evidently it's the same as self-examination, meditation, reflection, and solipsism. (Just imagine the trouble an English language learner could get into with that tricky thesaurus...)

It's good to know that spending time staring at your belly button means that you are self aware.

So, I have to ask...when was the last time you gazed at your navel?

How Babies Care for Their Young

This is why babies shouldn't have babies.

(Among other reasons, of course.)