Christmas Day 2011.

NO video camera set up this year. Oh well. But I did catch the kids on the camera as they came into the family room Christmas morning. Classic!!

I am fairly certain the North Pole was dumped right on our family room floor. I do not know when those elves will ever learn to scale things back!! Actually, Santa himself did scale back a bit this year. We decided that from now on the bigger gifts would be from mom and dad, to help them realize that Santa's bank account is not endless. So from Santa, they were excited to get Pillow Pets, games, Legos, bead sets and other fun little things.

Ellie chose a pocket watch to give to Logan. Logan chose a charm bracelet to give to Ellie. And here they are singing "Happy Birthday to Jesus".

These gifts were from me, I mean really from me. These are toys that I got myself for Christmas when I was a kid. I have been saving them in a box for forever. The kids have never seen them. Ellie got my super soft brown Teddy, my little pink platypus, and my beloved BATON!!! Man I wanted that thing so bad for Christmas one year!! Logan got my huge stuffed gorilla--in perfect condition even after all these years. His name is Jedediah-George. But Logan said now that it's his, he'll name him Mr. Bananas.

Here's Ellie haul. It's almost embarrassing to post. Is this normal? We got the desk and chair off KSL classifieds and gave it to her as-is. So cute for her room.

Darin insisted we get her a real camera. So she has one--a full-blown adult camera. This is just a wee step up from the one megapixel Little Tykes camera the kids had previously. She loves it and I am praying it stays in working condition!! She also loves the purple fuzzy rug for her room.

And Logan's stash...equally as over-the-top!! He hit the jackpot, after two years of begging, we finally got him a DS. He also got Legos, Hot Wheels Wall Tracks, more Trios, and lots of games.

There was, of course, a bit of a Mario theme. Mario fuzzy blanket, T-shirt and hat, 550 piece puzzle, memory game, Yatzee, and DS game. What can I say? The boy loves Mario!!

Weaponry seemed to play a theme on Christmas Day as well. Darin got the kids REAL BB guns from Cabellas. Ellie's is pink and Logan's is the classic Red Ryder. They will be under lock and key!! Logan also got a Wii shotgun accessory and hunting game from Devin, and a big Nerf gun. Ellie got her pink BB gun, and a slingshot from Devin.

Darin and I also had a fine day of gifts!! Guess I never thought to snap our picture. We have had such a great holiday season. I loved going to sacrament meeting on Christmas Day. Even though I have been busier than stinkin' busy this season......I have felt the spirit of the season and have enjoyed serving others instead of myself. Merry Christmas to all!!!