Christmas morning

As usual, Dan was up right at 7:00 but he was very patient and waited for Ben to get up before looking in his stocking.  At the Alexander Christmas the previous Saturday, he received a Thomas coloring book from cousin Kelly so he occupied his time by reading it.  (Coloring books very rarely get colored in at our house, especially if they have words on each page.  Dan and Ben think they're just regular books with black-and-white pictures).

Finally, at 8:30, I couldn't stand it anymore and sent Dan upstairs to wake up his lazy brother.  The boys opened stockings while we ate breakfast--yummy egg casserole, monkey bread, fruit, and QT coffee.  The boys are at the stage where they want to stop and play with everything as it's opened so the grown-ups opened presents while the boys played (and Zach and I assembled).  They loved everything, especially the fake food and Toy Story DVD from Granny, aircraft carrier from Aunt Deirdre, dinosaurs from Grandma and Grandpa, Thomas trains and railroad crossing from Tom and Mary Beth, books from Aunt Layne, and the Playmobil ambulance and police van from Santa.  (Playmobil is a little too realistic--tiny sniper rifle for the police and IV tubes for the EMTs?  Really?)

After naps, Zach and I took the boys to see Monsters, Inc.  Yes, I know it's not a new movie but it's back in theaters, plus Dan and Ben are a good 10-20 years behind in their movie watching so they don't know the difference.  It was Ben's second time at the movies and he did a great job.  We had a wonderful day and are so thankful to be able to spend it with near-by family.