The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Christmas 2009 was spent at home. Just the 3 of us. In a blizzard. And it couldn't have been better.

The festivities began with a chili dinner on Christmas Eve (a Wagner family tradition). Before bed, Jackson helped me set out milk & cookies for Santa.














By 9:00 Jack was sound asleep and the blizzard was really kicking into gear. I turned on Christmas music and wrapped the last of the presents while Drew started a fire. Together we prepared for Santa's arrival. Then we sat down in front of the fire, listened to the wind howl outside and enjoyed the moment. Just us. On Christmas Eve. In our comfy and cozy home.
At one point, Drew commented that we should do this every year. I couldn't agree more.

Christmas Day did not disappoint. Jackson woke up just before 7:00 and went straight for the toys Santa left behind. I'll never forget how he quickened his step when he came around the corner and saw the chair full of presents - particularly the golf club. Santa was very generous this year. He left a stocking full of miniature cars & trucks, a golf club, 2 books, a tee ball set and a sled (I guess he knew we were in the middle of a blizzard!) We let Jack dictate the pace and about an hour later had finished with Santa's treasures.

We then took a break to enjoy bubble loaf (an Elser family tradition), eggs & bacon. When breakfast was over and the dishes were washed we got into the rest of the presents. Again, we let Jack dictate the pace. He is a very deliberate package opener. Instead of spreading wrapping paper all over the room, Jack would stop after every single piece and hand the scrap to Drew or I.














In this round, he got a hooded bath towel (it's a monster), an Adidas track suit, a hammer & peg set and a dump truck that has all sorts of tricks (and that I'm pretty sure was as much for his Daddy as it was for Jack!)

Despite my best intentions to keep the gifts to a minimum, Jackson ended up with quite a haul. And we still have celebrations with Nana & Papa Wags and Gram & Grump Elser to come.

We spent the rest of the day playing with the new toys and just hanging out. Drew went into work at about 5:00 pm. We hope to see him again by noon tomorrow. Darn blizzard. So no formal Christmas dinner this year. And we're not exactly sure how our travel plans to Denver & Junction City are going to shake out. But those are decisions for later.

I'm not done enjoying Christmas yet.