Christmas 2013

Last Sunday night, we trekked up to Jersey at bedtime, and thanks to JVL, made record time. Thank God. Granny and Pop Pop were waiting when we arrived: Here's us saying, "Who was the WORST TRAVELER EVER?" Emma raised her arms in triumph.

 We love her anyway. She's so cute it's hard not to.

 Pop Pop and his girls!

 We tried hard to get a good shot of all three kids on Christmas eve, without much success.

 Kind of looks like he's strangling her, doesn't it? Or wants to.

 Cordelia's underwear will actually be a theme in this post.

 Christmas morning, Emma beholds Santa's magic!

 Then eats her first cookie. The note, written entirely by Cody, reads: "Dear Santa, I would like it if you could please bring me a real king cobra. Love Cody. PS Merry Christmas." Santa wrote back a rather long missive, and we were all enraptured as Cody read it aloud to us. Hard to think that he couldn't just pick stuff up and read it last Christmas. Cody also was hoping for some Legos, and maybe a train. Cordelia requested a pink scooter. And, a giraffe. A real one.

 Santa had some fun arranging the manger with Kelly's old Breyer horses.

 Stocking time!

 Um. Why isn't Cordelia wearing pants?

 Because Santa brought some new ones!

Cody went straight for the big Santa present.

Wait. Could that be…

 …a cobra?

 YES!!

 And a giraffe?

 Again with the strangulation.

 "On the nice list." Just not while in the car, Ems.

 But wait: another gift of Christmas — spending it with Fiona! (And Kelly and Mark. Yep. You too.)

 Mom and Dad scored big with this excellent present for our new place!

 And Emma was a very helpful little elf.

 Santa came through with the the giraffe AND the scooter, it turns out!

Then we moved on to Annie's, where Cody and Cordelia helped Santa hand out presents. Excellent activity for my little extroverts.

 Aidan was going to help, but hated the hat. And that hat's a must.

 My personal favorite, for obvious reasons.

All in all, a wonderful Christmas. Went by fast, though. And was very, very tiring. 

All done Christmas!