MERRY CHRISTMAS 2013!

It's been a quiet Christmas here in the new house, as quiet as can be expected with two kids under 6 that is!  Turns out, "not quite 6" is a fantastic age at Christmas time!   Norah both fully believes in Santa and fully understands that he brings good stuff, and I really feel like we got to experience the magic of Christmas in her eyes.  Roddie enjoyed the festivities as well, of course, but I don't think he was nearly as excited as Norah was.  We went to "midnight" mass at 8:00 last night and it was all he could do to keep his eyes open until the end.  Norah was very literally flitting about, she was so excited.  It was her who stayed up "late" to hang the stockings and set up the snacks for Santa and the gang.

We had a nice mix of secular and religious Christmas excitement - they were pretty excited to see that the Baby Jesus had arrived in the manger at church when we got there, and - at Norah's suggestion - we sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus before we began opening our gifts.  Mind you, once that was done, it was hard to slow her down as she tore her way through her gifts!  Roddie, as always, was a little more methodical, stopping to play with each gift before moving on to open the next - much to his sister's frustration.  

They slept in until their usual wake-up time of about 7 this morning and were content with a family Christmas snuggle in our room for about a half hour before Norah exclaimed, "We almost forgot to open presents!"  

Santa hit the nail on the head with Rainbow Looms and a faux "American Girl" doll for Norah.  Roddie was pretty pleased with his Imaginext town and keyboard. 

Ready to head to Mass

BFF's forever!

My handsome boy

My beautiful girl

My loves, my family

Family shot, Merry Christmas!

Laying out the goods for Santa

... hung by the chimney with care!

Our musician, playing a tune

Yeah, that's right, they are sharing!