Christmas Morning 2014

 Merry Christmas!  

Santa hid a few things in the Christmas tree.

And a few things on the mantle...

Michael's Christmas Morning Surprises

Ella's Christmas Morning Surprises

Hippopotamus History:  The first night we looked at Christmas lights there was a house that had their light display synchronized with music.  You had to dial your radio to their station.  One of the songs was "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas."  A Hippopotamus lit up when the song was on.  So we watched the lights for a while and then we left.  Ella started SCREAMING for Hippopotamus...the whole way home (I was actually impressed she could pronounce it and was paying attention).  I  looked on-line when we arrived at home and found a few things on you-tube for "hippopotamus for Christmas" and she was a happy girl watching the hippopotamus. EVERY DAY she has requested hippopotamus, EVERY DAY. It is currently April 11(yes I know I am very late with my blog updates) and she is still asking to watch Hippopotamus!  Every time we would get in the van after dark Ella would say, "Hippopotamus?"  As in...we better be driving to go see the Hippopotamus!

So that is the history of Ella's love for the Hippopotamus.  Fortunately, Santa knew that Ella loved Doc McStuffins and was getting her a Doc McStuffins kit, so he threw in Hallie the Hippopotamus, Doc McStuffins nurse.  Ella is very happy to have a Hippo of her very own.  We will be going to the zoo soon, hoping to see a hippopotamus in person!

Michael's letter (dictated) to Santa this year...notice the request for a doggie bicycle for Ralph.

Here's Ralph's Bicycle!

Christmas Morning's Biggest Hits

Connect 4

BATMAN!

Ella was all about all things Frozen this year: water bottle, guitar and Anna toddler doll

 Kinetic Sand!!

Ella's Christmas Morning Unwrapped from Mommy, Daddy, Michael, her stocking, Aunts & Uncles and Friends

Michael's Christmas Morning Unwrapped from Mommy, Daddy, Ella, his stocking,  Aunts & Uncles and Friends

Daddy's Christmas Morning Unwrapped

Mommy's Christmas Morning Unwrapped

Mommy's Favorite: James Avery Cross Ring

Christmas Dinner

Adam and I worked together on Prime Rib and to recreate the gravy Adam had on his mashed potatoes at Brennan's (he is still talking about that gravy).  Mmmm, we did great! It was so delicious.

We had "Grandma's Christmas" at her house on the Saturday after Christmas with Uncle Slavin, Aunt Karen, Morgan, Lauren and Billy.  Michael is still Billy's biggest fan.  We played a great round of Mexican Train which Ella was very interested in.