MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

WOW- looks like all my threats to the kids for good behavior really paid off, Santa came and boy were they excited! It''s impossible not to get swept up in the excitement of Christmas morning. It's so cute to hear their comments...
"Mommy, look, he brought us MORE than last year! We must have been really nice. I did play really nice with Addie yesterday. And Dane shared his toy with us! We were good!" Lena proclaims almost in shock.

The wonderful plate that Santa ate the cookie and milk from, and left them a special note to boot!
Here's what Lena wrote last night (she had been given the choice of either one BIG present- a bouncy castle- or more littler presents from Santa..)
"Dear Santa,
We might have to give up a bouncy castle this year because it might not fit in your sled or sack. We'll still enjoy whatever presents you want to bring.
Love,
Lena"
And here's Santa's reply,
"Dear Lena,
Thanks for the sugar cookie and milk! It was delicious, and my favorite one of the night! Rudolph and all the reindeer loved the food you put out too! (my sister had made these adorable little jars of homemade reindeer food for them to sprinkle on the driveway last night.) Enjoy your presents! The elves worked hard on them.
Love,
Santa"
Lena was absolutely elated that he wrote back.

Lena's prized gift- the latest "fur real kitty" that is SOO real it's amazing. Yeah- she's totally obsessed with kitties- and she'll admit it.

Dane wearing his new "Bosch" tool hat and goggles, with his first ever gun. (This is a toy that we have tried to steer clear of, but his desire for one was completely overwhelming! This gun came as a great award winning kids toy set that looks like an old western gun, and it had special lasers that when they hit these old looking cans and bottles set up on a log, they fly off a make a great exploding sound!)

What fun!
The awesome aftermath....