December 25 Christmas Day

Wednesday:  I loaded up the back of my car with all of the presents, my camera, a crockpot with the ham and potato casserole inside and headed over to Dylan and Kelly's arriving at 11:00 on the button (the time we had designated). 

But NO ONE WAS HOME! Yikes.

I have a key to their house; but lately, the key has done me little good. Cal enjoys locking all doors in the house--there are TWO locks on the front door--I only have a key to ONE of those locks! I tried my key, to no avail, went back to my car and called Kelly. They were just leaving their Christmas service at church and were on their way! I actually slept in my car while I waited, which felt very good actually (I had the heat on full blast). They picked up Shane on their way and were soon driving into the driveway.

The kiddos were excited to show me all of the presents they had opened before going to church. They were all so pleased--such huge smiles! And then it was time for them to open the gifts I brought them ...

Actually, they brought ME their gift and I opened it before the kiddos opened even one of theirs. Look! It's a fruit bat PUPPET!!! Isn't it great?!?! The kids (mostly Erin) think I should call him "Bitty"; but I've decided on "Fruity" instead. Cal was very pleased to have this little puppet on his hand for a long time!

Shane handed out his gifts for the kids, which they opened right away. I believe Brendan received a video game (but I could be mistaken).

Erin received a very cool "Surprise Barbie" gift AND a "Hello Kitty" make-up box. She about flipped out!!!

Erin was completely enthralled with the Hello Kitty gift. I have to agree that it was exceptionally cool!

I failed to see Aidan open his gift from Shane--I was too busy watching Erin open hers! 

Cal got a very nice set of SIX dinosaurs and he could name them all correctly too! He was so excited. These dinosaurs are the perfect size too. Cal begged me to play dinosaur with him which was basically his KING OF THE DINOSAURS (T-Rex) beating up all the other dinosaurs ... over and over again ... and more still!

Cal liked his Dinosaur Magnetic tiles that I got for him too. It's a very nice set.

Here is Brendan opening a few gifts I got for him: a Minecraft LEGO set, a MINECRAFT design book, a Calvin & Hobbes comic book (which they already have, so I told Brendan I would pick up a book of his choosing this week), an Origami brain teaser book and another small solitaire game.

I don't have any pictures of Erin with her Moana 2 doll or Moana's little sister doll, but she really likes them! I got her a set of princess magnet cubes too.

I got Aidan a very special Pokemon card (very expensive), and a cool magnetic cube set too, as well as a Calvin & Hobbes book they didn't already have.

The kids got lots of nice gifts from their folks too. Here they are playing with some kind of magic sand--I forget what it's called; but they really had fun with it.

Erin asked if she could take some pictures with my camera; so I put the strap around her neck and told her under NO circumstance was she to remove it from her neck, and then I set her loose.

Erin's pictures: Their mantelpiece ...

Some of their beautiful art work hanging on the walls ...

One of their beautiful lights ...

Plus, Erin took a movie down in the playroom but it is too long to post. She did a good job with the camera and kept the strap around her neck the whole time. Good job, Erin. Then she returned the camera to me.

I asked if I could take a picture of our dear, dear Kelly-O, and she very kindly smiled. Kelly has a very kind heart.

Mom and daughter ... super sweet.

Erin showing me her muscles while lifting her Hello-Kitty make-up box.

We had a very fun time together, a delicious brunch, and lots of yummy treats. It was a happy time!

I left mid-afternoon and drove over to Jesse's place. Kaity was there! I wasn't aware she would be, but it sure was nice to see her when I wasn't expecting it. We sat and visited for awhile. I dropped off some Christmas treats for them too. I had already given Jesse his gift a few weeks ago. Kaity is invited this Saturday night with her siblings for games and gifts, etc. So I will give her presents to her then.