Why don't they make kids with handles?
Lynzee having a very serious discussion with Dexter
Four kids smiling, one looking at the camera
Only one real smiling, but everyone's looking in the general direction of the camera. Close enough.
Dexter got to chill with Auntie Anna. (Anna didn't even know what was coming! But more on that in another post...)
Cooper loved his new guitar from Auntie Anna & "Uncle" Pat. (It just made everyone else in the room feel old because the toy guitar plays instrumental versions of Wild Thing by the Troggs, Message in a Bottle by the Police, Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen, Love Shack by the B52's and All Star by Smashmouth.)
Cooper was very excited about his stocking.
And judging by this picture, Cooper would have been happy if Santa stopped at just the stocking. (But what fun is that?)
Dexter, as you can see, was equally thrilled with his stocking loot.
Hmm.. I bet you're wonder what this is...
Dexter is intrigued too... but you'll have to wait for another post.
Cooper and his Thomas train, the one thing he asked for from Santa.
Dexter was tuckered out from all the excitement.
Things were mostly a little crazy. Not surprising considering there were 5 kids 3 years & under and (only) 6 adults. Why do we still feel outnumbered? (Gift opening was particularly crazy, which is why I don't really have any pictures of that.)
But there were a few calm, relaxing moments.
Dexter & Lynzee checking each other out.
Since Adam couldn't be with us for Christmas, we tried to get a good picture of all 5 kids together.
We quickly decided it didn't have to be "good", they just all had to be in it, even if they all look like deer in headlights. (I swear, no children were drugged in the taking of this picture.)
This is seconds later.
Dexter, once again, tuckered out. (He was actual awake when John sat him up, but sitting on Daddy was just too relaxing & he fell asleep.)
And since I know you're wondering.. yes, it does have a siren and it shoots water. And it goes very, very fast.
Justin making sure the kids make it back to the house (Zak wanted to drive around the neighborhood).
Zak, Cooper, & Caycee playing with Grandma at the luncheon
Justin receiving his plaque
Justin saying thank you, with a few little visitors
Justin & Brad assembling the Extreme coaster. You know it's a scary toy when Justin is nervous about it.
Zak & Caycee trying a tandem ride. Afterwards Zak said, "Joe (he calls himself Joe) not do again." Maybe it's 'cause it was uncomfortable, or because it wasn't as much fun going down with Caycee, or maybe it's 'cause in a room full of adults he was the only one saying, hmm.. this definitely can't be safe!
It's hard to argue with those smiles though.
This is just the cutest snowsuit I've ever seen:
it was coming; Cooper's been saying "Na, na, na" when I'm changing his diaper, or when he doesn't want to go to sleep. But while Cooper & Caycee were eating lunch I tried to put a spoonful of macaroni & cheese in his mouth and he said it. Yikes. He shook his head & said, "NO!" I'm sure we'll be hearing that a lot in the years (decades) to come.
The "adults" seemed to have a pretty good time too, looking like fools playing the Wii:
My favorite time of the day, especially with all the kids together, is bath time. I have no idea what they're all looking at here, but it must be pretty interesting.
Sunday morning everyone relaxed on the couch. Cooper hopped up on Adam's lap (okay, Adam probably helped him up), then Zak joined, & then Caycee.
... and chaos ensued.
Of course, no holiday celebration is complete until someone's wearing a lampshade, or, in our case, Caycee's wearing a basket on her head.
Can't wait 'til Christmas!
Oh yeah, and I've been sick this week. Yuck. I had a fever Sunday & continued to feel crappy Monday & Tuesday. I think I'm finally over it now. Luckily, Cooper shows no signs of catching it.
