Post Christmas Play

Well, it is six weeks post Christmas and I must report that I'm doing well on most of my New Year's resolutions but failing miserably at keeping the blog up to date.  Oh, well. Better late than never.
A few photos of the kids enjoying all of their awesome Christmas gifts.  There was a point over break where the kids kept bickering with each other and not sharing. I got really frustrated and gathered all of their new toys and hauled them outside and put them in the car.   If they couldn't share then they didn't deserve them, right?  It was interesting.  They were very upset at the time but then they didn't ask for the again. Two days later I brought them inside and it was like Christmas all over again.

Benjamin got the most amazing remote control train set called Rokenbok from Oma and Opa.  We were first introduced to it by our British friends who have a huge set.  Benjamin always wanted to play it when he went over to his friend, Charlie's house.  I was able to get an incredible deal on Craigslist and Marty and Josie headed down to Oma and Opa's a few days before Christmas to set up the track.  He LOVES it!!

Josie painting her glow in the dark solar system from the Wiley's.

Once we got home we (Marty) had to spend another couple hours setting up another track.

Pay off was huge though:

They each got their own bean bag chair.  I wasn't thinking of the Seahawks when I bought them but the colors and the chairs were nice for watching the playoff games and the Super Bowl.  Notice Josie's American Girl dolls watching fro the couch.

 

More Rokenbok.

All tuckered out from so much playing....

Josie and her babies chilling in her bean bag

Marty is not quiet about his dislike for Josie's dolls so t was particularly funny to see that Josie piled them all around him as he tried to work on his laptop.

Liz and Ed got Josie a cool tea set.  She could not wait for her friend Elliott to come over and have tea with her and her dolls. 

The set came complete with sugar cubes.  They each had 2 lumps and then toasted.  If you look closely you can see her dolls sitting on the other chairs.

 Benjamin enjoyed showing Charlie and Henry his new batman cave

 And playing Rokenbok, of course.

Christmas at Oma and Opa's

We had a great time celebrating Christmas at Oma and Opa's this year.  The kids were mesmerized by the German decorations like this one where the heat from the candles makes the propeller spin.

Rainie and Stephanie.

Ed, Stephanie, Liz and Opa

Oma sets a beautiful table.

 We ate brunch at 11... never too early for wine ;-)

 Josie and Stephanie.   I think they look so much alike!!

 Oma and Opa opening gifts even though Opa always shouts "I do not participate!" (in the gift giving or receiving)

 Stephanie, Liz  and Schnitzel.

 Benjamin is very excited about his new dump truck from Stephanie

 Liz made Josie a BEAUTIFUL dress.  Every time she wears it she gets tons of compliments. 

The next day Sana showed up at our house and we had a very nice and relaxing day at home, just the four of us.

 

 

Apparently Eric, Marty and I don't make the photo cut.  No photos of us, even though we were there too!  Merry Christmas 2013!!