Christmas and Broken Bones

Our Christmas holidays started with Kirk (thinking that he's 18 still) breaking his finger playing flag football with the guys. Of course, since he's Kirk, he didn't just break it, he really messed it up, which required surgery, 3 screws, and two pins to get it back in place. Since we were leaving to go out of town in three days, the hand surgeon operated the night before we left.

We had our own family Christmas together before we left to visit family. Will really loved his new rocking horse -- can't ya tell.

But he still loves his mommy. We can report that he and the horse have made friends and now he won't stay off of it.

Christmas Eve we got together with cousins and had a live nativity. It was pretty crazy. The kids loved it. Matthew and Palmer were wise men with their cousin Alex. Cousins James and Ava were Mary and Joseph. Playing the role of the shepherds were cousins Mason and Jack -- but nobody thought through very carefully the outcome of giving 2 year olds big sticks to play with. Thus, the shepherds were too busy whacking things to show up for the pictures. Will and his cousin Noah were sheep (e.g., with white felt on their backs). New baby Dillon was the baby Jesus. The sheep really liked the baby.

The very, very wealthy and wise "men" and Joseph.

The annual Christmas Eve jammies. Consistent with the boys current Star Wars fascination, they were of course Clone Wars themed -- even with flashing lights!

Opening presents Christmas morning. Kirk didn't get a pass at putting things together just because of a little broken finger.

We were lucky enough to see our friends from Dallas who have since moved to London. Palmer was most excited of all to see his best budy Drew after a year of separation. At the end of the day he said it was the most wonderful day ever.

We can't believe how big everyone has gotten. Addie, Palmer, Drew, Matthew, Will, and Noah. It was really fun seeing them.

Snow! One of the best things about visiting grandma and grandpa for Christmas is all of the snow. Palmer was so excited that his uncle Cameron would pull him around the snow covered streets on the 4-wheeler. Palmer's a real snow fiend. He doesn't want to ever come in.

Matthew liked pounding everyone with snowballs, until he got cold. Must be that warm weather blood that he's got.