Christmas 2009

Wow, it seemed so far away and the next thing I new Christmas was here! This is the first year Jackson really got into the Christmas spirit. Last year I think he was still a little too young. This year we could explain the Santa concept and the religious aspects of Christmas. Let me just say, Christmas this year was through the eyes of our child and it was awesome.

Our day was intentionally low-key. My parents came to our house at 6 am to be there when Jackson woke up. We spent a good couple of hours opening presents, mostly for Jackson. Chris and I invested in a decent family photo (FINALLY!) and photo of Jackson this year, that was suppose to be our gift to each other. He didn't play by the rules and bought me shoes, a necklace and surprised me with a 23" plasma computer monitor. I felt like a kid when I opened up the monitor. I received a gift I didn't expect, never asked for and didn't know I wanted until I got it. It was a fabulous gift...You did good honey!


Jackson received a lot of thoughtful and wonderful gifts from his family. He's the only one in the house with a monogrammed bath towel thanks to his Tanta. His gifts ranged from a remote controlled car, to a work bench, books and, of course, the single item he asked for from Santa: a fire station. See his reaction in the video below where he can hear the fire station through the wrapping paper. Chris and I stuck with our Christmas deal, whatever we spend on Jackson we match in his college fund. It keeps our spending in check and gives his college account a boost. Right now he has no concept of the message we were sending with the fake money we wrapped up (not that I expected him to). My hope is that 17 years from now he'll see the photos of the 'fake' money gifts from Mom and Dad at holidays and birthdays and appreciate what they represented.

After presents, we had a great Christmas brunch and then commenced toy construction. I snuck away to the den, like the techno geek I am, to get my new monitor set up. Jackson tested it out by watching an online Mickey Mouse Clubhouse video, without objection of course.


My parents left when Jackson went down for a nap. Chris and I took that time to go through all of his toys and create a pile for Goodwill. Out with the old and in with the new, especially with our cozy (nice way of saying small) home. We ventured out in the evening for a Starbucks (yes, they were open!) and to look at Christmas lights. Jackson went to bed and then the wine and hors d'oeuvres came out. We had friends over to enjoy a movie and drink some wine. A relaxing way to wrap up a great Christmas!

Thank you to everyone for the phone calls, gifts and cards.

Ready for Santa



Grandpa: Professional Present Liberator


Grandma: Professional Storyteller


Gabby fits right in with the cartoon animals. Some things never change.


She sat here for hours 'waiting for Santa'


Rollin' in Dough


Distributing the Goods


Anxious to get to work!


Chris is a saint for gluing ALL these little pieces to the board and painting a thousand white lines on the race track. Jackson has no idea what went into this....


Chris and I's turn to celebrate Christmas!


Funny present reactions: