Sophie continued to have a low grade fever throughout the day. But she woke this snowy white morning and we showed her Santa's empty cookie plate. Then she looked out to the back porch and seeing another empty plate, exclaimed, "Oh noooo! Carrots gone!" We said that the reindeer had come and eaten them. Then she checked her stocking and pulled out a cool tape measure.
Later that morning, Opa and Oma showed up for brunch which was a breakfast egg casserole, fruit salad, roasted potatoes, and OJ. Soon after filling our bellies we began opening gifts. Then Opa and Oma were on their way to visit with more family.
We spent the day on the phone with family, trying to find a home for all the new toys, and playing, playing, playing. It was a great Christmas! Thank you to all who remembered us with phone calls, cards, plates of goodies, and gifts. We truly appreciate your kindness and generosity.
Darn! The dress was too small! A lucky win for Sophie!
Strike a pose, there's nothing to it...
Goody, goody, goody! A light saber for Daddy, no Rhys, no Daddy, no Rhys. Rhys will not have much of a choice but to share with Daddy.
The angle...
The shot!
The bedlam of Christmas morning.
Trying out the remote control robot.
Keri models the beautiful wrap hand knitted by her mother, Judy.
Poor Sophie has been sick with something viral (H1N1 and strep were ruled out) and has had a fever for three days now. She was her joyous self during the day and okay this evening but during her last hour up, her temperature went back up. So she took some Motrin and gladly went to bed.
Then Sophie prepared a plate of carrots for Santa's reindeer and put it out on the back porch.
Following that we got out the Nativity set and we reviewed the events of the first Christmas. We watched The Nativity (which is about 5 minutes long) and stopped it at key points to talk about and add corresponding figures to the nativity scene.
Then we baked cookies from the dough she helped to make days earlier. We all got to taste one to make sure they would be good enough for Santa. While they baked in the oven, Mom and Sophie danced around the living room, dining room, and kitchen to The Virgin Mary had a Baby Boy, an upbeat carol with 
So with Sophie in bed and Rhys soon to be, Neal and Keri would like to wish all our friends and family a Merry Christmas and goodnight!
upon layer...
upon layer...
upon layer...
Good job, Big Sister!
Bad Mommy!
Our bundled up boy.
Kids played with toys until cheese pizza and juice, which was generously provided by some parents, was served.
Caroling! We put on our coats and shoes and headed to the neighbor's house. We sang Rudolph the Red Nosed Riendeer and Jingle Bells and presented them with one of the candy cane ornaments. At the second house, we merely whispered Rudoph because they had a sleeping one-year-old.
Back at the house, Keri entertained the happy bun
Then we had one last game. A hunt. The kids had a small stocking that they had to hide within two rooms. A bit of the stocking had to be showing. Whoever found it next got to hide it next. Jake blew us away with his amazing seeking skills. He found it several times! 
