Christmas Pics

Somewhat last minute we decided it would be fun to head to the coast and spend a few days over the Christmas holiday. Because of our last minute planning almost everything was booked, but we were able to find a cottage rental in Lilli Pilli (isn't that a great name for a town?) near Bateman's Bay. We headed out Christmas eve after J got home from work. We didn't have a tree; my intent was to find a branch or something to decorate once we got to Lilli Pilli, but we got out much later than planned and didn't have much time to look. I sent AJ out while I made dinner (we ended up having very simple tacos), but I didn't want her to go too far and it was getting dark so she couldn't find anything. We ended up using this plant instead.

This may have been my favorite Christmas moment. As a bit of background: not only did we get out later than planned we ran into some heavy fog (as we went over the Misty Mountains--they are accurately named!) and missed our key pick-up. To make a long story short everyone was pretty hungry and cranky by the time we got to our rental. Admittedly there were some reminders (ok threats) that Santa might not make it if some certain somebodies couldn't start getting along. After Santa arrived and was setting up I started feeling bad and felt that my kids needed to be reminded that they did a lot of good things this past year that earned their spot on the nice list, so Santa obligingly wrote them each a letter detailing those things. The best part was that as soon as they saw the letters they started reading them and discussing them and it was several minutes before they remembered they had new toys to look at and open!

AJ accidentally left all of her sleeptime friends behind (had been borrowing AP's webkinz to sleep with her) and was SO happy to get this baby leopard and a deer to snuggle.

Opening D&D minis

They each got a box of minis. It's so funny how exciting it is for the three of them and how much fun they have looking at them together, making trades, and planning adventures.

J's loot. You might not be able to tell but the t-shirt is all marvel heros (I found it at Target the week before we left and couldn't pass it up!). He was also thrilled to get new ties. However I think he was most excited about the book idea Spencer sent him. Way to go Spence!

He is at the perfect age to enjoy Christmas! Old enough to interact with his toys but still so little and cute!

Just testing his toys! But even more than (or at least as much as) the toys he loved all the paper, packaging and boxes!

After opening presents and playing a bit J took the kids our for a morning walk while I made pancakes. In the afternoon we headed to Bateman's Bay. (See below)