Middendorf Blog: Christmas

We started off Christmas celebrations at Grandma Lyd's house in Springfield the Sunday before . There are now 8 great-grandchildren when we gather - 7 of which are boys. So, there is much wrestling in a house filled with crystal and china. Luckily the company is good. Jack (age 2) was most amusing with his repetitive pleas for cake "Please, Nancy, may I have some cake".

We were back in the cities for one day of work (the boys got to hang out with their favorite babysitter, Jessica) and then we were off to Melrose for the back and forth of Christmas eve day. We did do some presents at Alyssa and Joe's from my dad (but really shopped for by his daughters).

We started off at the Jeskes' for brunch and stocking presents. Fred has mastered the art of guessing what's in the present. Wyatt has mastered the art of making opening a present last the whole turn around the circle, so its like he's constantly opening presents - he loves it!

Cousins - pre-stocking present opening.

Wyatt in his safety glasses. He says "this is a gift?"

Gavin examining some bike lights.

Jacob and Ike.

Then its off to Middendorfs' for lunch (yes, about 2 hours after brunch), chicken kievs - yum! Then we the kids got to open presents from cousins and the adults played the dice game for their presents. Fred ended up with tequila and I ended up with the Breaking Bad DVDs I brought (which Luke, Samantha's boyfriend, looked none to pleased with, so I traded my "The Heat" movie with him). We had time before some of us had to move on to the next celebration, so we opened the presents from Godparents and Grandparents too.

Wyatt opening a present.

Gavin opening his present from Uncle Corey and Aunt Megan.

Jacob's present from Uncle Chad and Aunt Mary - noiseless and safe - that's a first.

Riley and Wyatt trying on mustaches.

Then we head to church with the Jeske clan. After surviving 3(!!!) songs with lit candles, we head back to the house to have a light supper and then open presents.

Cousins - the Rosenbergers got cozy before we got to pictures.

Annual sister photo. Adrea tried the modeling pose this year.

Grandpa and Grandma with their grandkids.

The whole Jeske family (oh yes, at this point the kids were so happy to be still taking pictures and not yet opening presents).

A photo to commemorate their coordinated outfits.

Our party of 5.

Onto opening presents. Jacob got his highly anticipated Rainbow loom from the Rosenbergers.

Gavin opening his electronic shark from Rosenbergers.

Wyatt got Monsters U.

Gavin's favorite present of the night - Santa hat and mittens. Next request, "Grandma, can you make me a Santa jacket?" Of course, she did.

Wyatt with his new Power Ranger mask and sword.

Christmas day we hung out at Jeske's most of the day. Jacob worked on some bracelets, but mostly they looked like this....

Ike and Jacob on the screens.

The boys hung out in Melrose with Fred while I headed back to the cities to work Thursday and Friday. I got a night to myself at my house, which is like a little Christmas present itself. It would have been better had I not had my dentist appointment (which was fine - no cavities) and done some shopping. So I wasn't as productive as I wanted to be. Anyway, it was a good break. Then I went up to Melrose for the night.

Then on Saturday (now the 28th), we all came back to Chaska to celebrate Christmas at our house. Santa had some while we were gone and the boys had a few presents from us too.

The boys with the Santa presents.

Jacob opening his snowboard.

Gavin got lots of legos this Christmas (when opening his big set from Santa he said "More Legos!", not necessarily in an excited tone.)

A plane and utility vehicle Gavin created from Legos. He did spend a lot of time constructing Lego creations and was very good at following the instructions.

Fred and Jacob went to the snow hill to try out the snowboard before the cold snap arrived. While the little boys and I played with new toys and made a cake for Jesus.