Yesterday our kids got to go to their Auntie Sue and Uncle Scott's house for the annual Grampie Christmas. The funniest part of the day was how calm and peaceful the kids were before Santa Grampie arrived...(note the picture of the girls having a tea party). Sue mentioned several times how quiet and good the kids were playing with each other for the two hours before Steve and Di showed up. Then pure chaos erupted as Steve drove up and started unloading his MDX. Seriously it was like someone lit a firecracker in their pants. Andrew was doing kung fu moves, Kaya was prancing all around the room, and the rest of the kids were frantically dividing the presents into their own individual horde. Clearly waiting was impossible so Steve quickly decided to pass out the gifts before dinner this year much to the delight of his six grand kids. Then even in a wiser move, he passed them out in groups instead of individually so the waiting wasn't as painful. Of course they made out like the bandits they are...the boys getting their annual Hess truck. Clearly this is always the best present they get and the present my boys look forward to the most. Brooke and Jaxi got gorgeous dresses (see picture of the girls with Di) which I think Mrs. Clause clearly picked out. Back to the Hess trucks, because Connor and Colin LOVE these trucks. As soon as Brian woke up this morning, he had to pull out all the rest of their Hess trucks from the attic and they have been having a Merry Hess Christmas since 8 AM. Kaya received a Dora Kitchen which we had to put together this morning (all the kids tried to do it last night without the grown-ups, pretty funny actually but they did pretty well and got up to the part where you needed a screwdriver). I received a gorgeous necklace and Brian got his annual Sports Illustrated subscription, which is actually a present for me too so Thanks Steve, and personally labeled golf balls.

As usual, it was a great night with Sue's amazing potato dish (my favorite), Brian eating all the apps before dinner and too full to enjoy the meal, The Saumsiegle Men hanging out, laughing, and discussing Fantasy Football, the kids screaming throughout the house which blended well with the Christmas music, and ending with a dramatic meltdown. (This year it was Kaya's turn) Thanks to Steve and Di for coming up and launching our Christmas Celebration!