And so this was Christmas...

... and here's what we did:

Got the Christmas tree...


Watched the annual Parade of Lights with the requisite Starbucks...




Opened stockings...


Enjoyed a Christmas Eve celebration with extended family...




Opened presents Christmas morning...






Oh yeah, and more presents at grandma and grandpa's house...




And played with presents...




And some of the things not pictured, but still fun!

* Took a ride on the "Christmas Train" in Tulsa, OK - the scariest, most in-your-face story of Jesus I've heard tell since my childhood. Brought into harsh focus the difference between employing the spirit when discussing the gospel and our Savior, versus using it for a money-making scheme. The kids enjoyed the carnival-like atmosphere however.

* Attempted zoo lights (twice!) with the Busch family and the Morris family, but apparently everyone else had the same idea on the same two nights we attempted.

* Took the kids up to Breckenridge to have a very enjoyable dinner with my cousin and her hubby - who spent the holidays skiing.

* Introduced the kids to some new holiday movies, including Home Alone which has become an instant favorite and watched repeatedly (much to my chagrin)

And the things we didn't get around to, unfortunately (hey, I'm only human and there are still only 24 hours in a day - despite my incessant attempts to change that):

* Host our annual holiday party. Ack! I hate that. Next year folks, next year. Can I blame it on the fact that there were fewer days this year between Thanksgiving and Christmas? I'd like to.

* See Santa. Another big Ack! I usually do this on the early side, but since I had my Christmas shopping done so early this year (pat on the back inserted here), there weren't many reasons to go to the mall. And their Christmas pics were taken at the end of October after all - so no opportunity there. We did see the Christmas cow at Chick-fil-a, does that count?

* Do our annual purge of the basement toys to make room for the new ones. I guess the good news is, that will always be available to do. The bad news is, our crazy routine cycle is beginning all over again. *Sigh*