Park/Blanchard Christmas 2010

Christmas this year was awesome.
Aunt Pam, Uncle Rich, cousins Allyson and Lindsay drove in from California.   We had so much fun Christmas eve playing with them, Aunt Jo and Grandma Bessie.
Rich has some kind of energy.   If he could some how bottle and sell it he'd be a bazillionaire.    My kids adored him.   He wrestled and played and goofed around with each of them, helping to wear them out for bed time.    He is an amazing male role model that I wish was present in my kids lives all of the time.   Not just once a year.
Pam sat down with Syd, who was SOOOO excited to show her piano skillz to, and taught her a few things.   She learned a months worth in a matter of minutes.
Why is it that they don't live here again ? :-(
We played Beattles rock band, it was really fun.

Aunt Pam who really can sing

Uncle Rich and Cousin Ally

Grandma Bessie just pretending

Aunt Jan and Lindsay

Aunt Jo Jo

The student

Christmas day was fun. Jan and I didn't go to bed until 2:30 am....and then we just pretended because Nathan decided to get hand foot and mouth the week of Christmas and was up all night with mouth pain from the ulcers. The kids came in at 7:13 am to start the day. We had to explain that it was in fact Christmas and that Santa had come that night, before they got excited.
The presents are set up downstairs next to the playroom and for good reason :)

Cameron's

Sydney's

Spencer's

Ryan's

Nathan's

This picture describes it PERFECTLY.
Spencer and Cameron fighting for the Empire. Ryan eating any and everyone's candy and Nathan pushing his new baby in his new shopping cart.

I think we could both use a little binky right now baby. Are you sick too ?

Cameron's imagination soaring.

Don't even think about it...he'll shoot.

Syd giving rides on her scooter.

Later that day we met up at Grandma and Papa's house to eat eggs cut up in gravy (family tradition and such a yummy and artery clogging good one) open more presents and play the annual 7-11 dice game.
My mom does such a great job getting gifts that she knows we will all fight tooth and nail over....ie. costco sized toilet paper, viva paper towels (those things are as soft and strong as wash rags) pots and pans, $50.00 home depot gift card and then there's always the money that's hidden in a pack of gum. Other than Chris stashing the coin valued at 40.00, nobody cheated this year. And when I say nobody...I'm of course referring to Chris and Brian :)
It was fun and I SCORED !
Another special surprise was that Aunt Marie and Uncle Ron were there dropping Grandma Argyle off, so we got to play with them Christmas day too.