Riding bikes on Christmas day

We took the girls outside to ride their new bikes this morning. They had a little trouble with the brakes but had fun riding around in the cul de sac. Jake rode the tricycle for just a little while - it takes too much effort to peddle.

Opening presents from mom and dad

Yes, Rachel is wearing her bike helmet....it wouldn't be Christmas if Rachel didn't wear her presents.
While Rachel was playing her new Leapster, Reagan helped mommy open her presents.

Yes, now Rachel is wearing a cheerleading outfit she got from Jake.

Rachel and Reagan help their brother open presents.

Jake got tired of waiting around to take turns and just started tearing into all his - the ones with the Cars papers.

Overall, we were able to slow down Christmas and make it last a couple hours. And no one cried this year when they ran out of presents.

Christmas morning

They were too excited to wait til 7am and busted out of their rooms a few minutes before. We caught them before they got down the stairs. After all, we had to take pictures (and preferably change Jake's diaper). Jake trailed behind but was excited to see his new tool bench that Santa brought. And the girls were pleased that they made the nice list after all (Santa must be quite lenient) and got their Princess bikes as requested.

Snug in bed

All snug in their beds on Christmas eve waiting for Santa. (Rachel and Reagn both thought they heard him and the reindeers last night as they landed on the roof.)

Santa

We saw Santa a couple weeks ago (he came to Missile Defense Agency for Daddy's Christmas party) but forgot to upload the picture to the Blog. Rachel and Reagan asked for Bikes (which Santa delivered last night) and Jake asked for some tools and cars (after mommy suggested it and surprisingly that is what Santa brought him).

Christmas (the Sunday before) in Cornelia

the macs with cousin Maddie
the macs with Nana and Papa

opening presents with Nana, Papa, Maddie, Aunt Sabrina and Uncle Jack

wide load

Jake has a fit when he runs out of presents

a princess outfit for Maddie

a photobook of our Disney trip for Papa and Nana

Rachel and Reagan help Maddie open her gifts

Uncle Jack with Rachel and Jake

I GOTTA BIG TRUCK

Boxed set of 3 DVDs of our Disney Trip for Nana and Papa

Christmas Dinner (the Sunday before)

forgot to include a picture of the kids table (notice that Jake doesn't get to sit there)

The Varsity

After riding the pink pig (see post below to find out what that is), we ate at the Varsity - one of Jeff's favorite restaurants growing up. The varsity serves up super greasy burgers, dogs, and fries, but also hands out free paper hats. Rachel has to get one every time. Jake on the other hand isn't very cooperative when it comes to wearing hats.

Pink Pig

What is the Pink Pig, you may ask...well, I asked that same question. I was told that it was a ride and Jeff's parents used to take him and Jack to it every year at Christmas. That still didn't answer my question. I had to find out for myself. We drove an hour and 15 minutes from Cornelia to downtown Atlanta - at the Lenox Mall. We went inside to buy tickets and found quite a long line. This pink pig must really be something, I thought to myself. We waited about an hour to get our tickets and then another 30 minutes waiting in a line outside for the ride - 20 degrees outside and we were not dressed appropriately. Finally after an hour and a half, the kids got to ride the pink pig - essentially a train carnie ride. (And to think we didn't wait 30 minutes for any ride at Disney world....) Now my question is, if you know what the pink pig is, why would you wait over an hour to ride it?

Prayer

Jake gives the blessing before his breakfast (well, before most of it).

Reagan's preschool Christmas party

Reagan was one of the few kids that got stuck in the back row. Seems to be our luck with the 3 year old party. Last year it was Rachel. You can identify our child by the big red bow....

Rachel's preschool Christmas program

Rachel is happy to sing her songs at home (off camera). Standing up front and performing in front of all the mommy and daddys is different.

Men!

Jake (almost 2 1/2) is having a huge fit because he wants help getting his socks off. He CAN do this by himself. After 5 minutes of his fit, I grabbed the video camera. He got one sock off and then had another fit. He wouldn't give up. "I need help!"

Church Christmas Program

The Childrens Christmas program at church was tonight. The preschoolers were supposed to sing Angels we have heard on high with the grade school choir, but had trouble getting on the stage on time. Obviously someone who doesn't have a preschooler picked that song out for them to sing since none of them can say inechelsius dio (I can't even spell it) . They sang Baby Jesus we love you. Rachel dressed as a donkey, Jake is a cow and Reagan is on the far end as a sheep.

Decorating for Christmas

The girls helped decorate the big Christmas tree and then did the little one in their room. Reagan didn't want to let Jake help, but Rachel shared her ornaments with him.