Merry Christmas!!

Lots and lots of craziness going on, so much so that, at times, the meaning of the day would pull away from me. But the kiddos were hilarious this year (we had to wake up Ainsley at 7:00 because the Three were starting to attack the presents) and John and I were able to occasionally catch a glimpse of how every year with these guys is only going to be more and more fun.

The wee ones opened presents for about 15 minutes before they started to melt from breakfast not happening on schedule, so they contentedly took a food break and had fun watching Ainsley open her gifts. Johnny went berserk about his huge Tonka dump truck until his sisters received their babydoll strollers, whereupon the truck was abandoned so he could join in the fun of racing stroller-laps around the house (he used the old one). Big sigh from his dad, but the kids were all doing their tolerable happy-screams and, well, maybe sweet-Johnny will grow out of it. If not, he's going to be a great dad.

So I leave you with our Christmas card picture and wish I could figure out how to post the one I really wanted to use instead (if someone can help me figure out how to download something from Shutterfly?????). The cards have seriously been addressed and stamped for a few days now - just haven't had time to seal them. This info will certainly drive a couple of my close friends bonkers...

This is what is going out - I love how Johnny is just about to take off. Fortunately you can't see the front of Lizzy's dress because she had just played in and soaked herself in dog-dish water.

Right when we were starting, Gracie decided she did not desire to take a family picture and threw a sweet little tantrum. This is right afterward, when she must have realized we would send a family photo out with our without her in it (or with her in it as she is kicking and screaming on the floor). That Gracie.