Christmas Joys - Part I

The Christmas story will need to occupy two blog posts to contain all the photos. Was trying to shove them all in one, but Blogger won't even let me upload that many picture. Maybe that's Blogger's way of tactfully telling me more isn't always better sometimes it's is just more.

As I said in previous posts, the  high levels of anxiety Rose had leading up to these days worried me about how successful the holiday would be. I have realized I am very relieved to have this year of firsts pretty much over because Rose isn't the only one whose anxiety amped up with the  new experiences. Mine had, too. 

The pictures below show what a wonderful series of days it truly was once the emotion switch to joy. They also reveal the results of the St. Nicholas visits.

Rose was allowed to open 1 gift before we went to the Schulte Christmas Eve Celebration. She loved the dress Mike had picked out of her. She looked beautiful in it.

December 24th happens to also be Abby, Rose's cousin's, birthday. So each Christmas Eve Day starts with a birthday celebration.

The birthday girl with Aunt Brenda

Afterward, the family moved onto Christmas Eve stuff. 

Posing for photos with Rose and Uncle Brian

Grandma and Mike hanging out, chatting.

Trying to see if they could stack 28 coins on Rose's face to beat the World Record

Listening to puppies beg to be included in all the food and fun.

Of course, opening presents. This year many of the boys got funny tee shirts.

 

The girls got toys.

Rose getting into the swing of present opening.

Soo sooooft, she exclaimed. Little did she know, St. Nicholas has visited our house while she was enjoying the comfort of her new sweatshirt. Before we could see what he'd left for her, we took a few more family pictures.

All the Schulte boys with their Grandma.

A pretty happy family.

When we got home from Al and Brenda's, I tried my best to sound startled to see our stockings missing and even more surprised when Rose pointed under the tree and squealed, St. Nicholas has been here when she saw the presents sitting there.

Admittedly, he was a busy elf this year and left only three gifts with a card. Rose opened the card, looked at Mike, and said, "Nice, it's in your handwriting." He denied it, and I pointed out it didn't look like Dad's writing to me. (Yes, I have begun referring to Mike as Dad when in Rose's presence...but only then.)

I didn't think she bought it. But she played along when she opened her first gift--the smallest--which was a HUGE hit when she realized it was an iPod Nano with TOUCH SCREEN.

Thank goodness St. Nicholas had given her that and the cribbage board. Grandpa Schulte taught her to play cribbage this year, so it's neat to have her continue the tradition.

Yet she wasn't too thrilled with this big gift, which turned out to be a suit case she didn't enjoy.