Merry Christmas!

We started Christmas Eve with our traditional Christmas Story and both the girls got to open their Christmas PJs. Christmas is definitely more exciting when you have kids - all of a sudden, it's magical again. Jenna helped make gingerbread cookies for Santa, and because the reindeer would be hungry, too, we left a bowl of oatmeal outside for them. But this is no ordinary oatmeal, no, it's special sparkly Christmas oatmeal. We put glitter in it to make sure that Santa's trusty reindeer would be able to see it from the sky. Jenna fell asleep, and Santa came, as usual.

At 7:30 AM, Jenna came careening into our room and whispered rather loudly, "Mommy, Santa filled my stocking with candy!" She ran out, only to return seconds later, "Mommy, Santa came and left presents!" Of course, there was no way of rolling over and ignoring our jubilant 4-year-old, so we got Miriam out or her crib and headed toward the Christmas tree. Jenna passed out presents - she's old enough that she can read all the names on the tags now. We ate yummy cinnamon rolls for breakfast and enjoyed the rest of the holiday by devouring way too much chocolate and listening to happy squeals of laughter from the girls as they enjoyed their new toys and games.

Before opening their PJs

Jenna loved how soft they were and Miriam was just plain happy!

Saying goodnight to the Christmas tree.

Miriam checking out her stocking loot.

The girls with their stockings.

Jenna passing out the gifts.

Jenna gave Luke a race car -
she was pretty proud that is was completely her idea.

Miriam had a hard time figuring out the ribbons, but had no problem tearing the paper to pieces!

Jenna opening her baking set from Grandma and Grandpa Prizer.

Luke GRADUATES!

I know this happened before the last post, but it needed to be posted. On December 12, 2009, Luke officially graduated with his degree in Chemical Engineering. It is a huge relief to finally be done! It was a crazy weekend - both of my parents came up from Rigby, and Luke's mom, stepdad and Grandad came up from Declo. Grandad, Bonnie (Luke's mom) and Luke now make up three consecutive generations that have graduated from the University of Idaho. GO VANDALS!

Both Jenna and Miriam were troopers for the whole thing, and as soon as the graduation ceremony was over, we went down to find Luke in the large crowd. No sooner had we found him, snapped a few photos and started to head over to the treats that Miriam threw up all over my wool coat! She had thrown up earlier that morning, but we thought that the crazy schedule had made her overly anxious. Maybe she was still anxious with all the people around her - but whatever it was, I got covered in processed applesauce and milk! We got her home and bathed, and promptly into bed. She woke up from her nap as happy as ever and completely un-phased by the entire ordeal - unlike the coat that went directly to the cleaners.

Luke as he his walking into graduation.

Three generations of University of Idaho Alumni!

The family

Here's the video of Luke's graduation -
don't worry, it's not the WHOLE ceremony.