Holly Jolly Christmas

I've been taking a blogging break to enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas. We sure had a great one here at the Morgan's and hope all of our family and friends did, too.

Since Amy and Keith were busy moving on the 23rd, we got to keep Luke for the day on Wednesday and then he spent the night until Christmas Eve. Here he is with his "must-have" toy: Karsen's purse. He carried it everywhere and stuffed things into it all day.

Here are the three amigos, playing with Luke's toolbox. That was a fun activity for all, especially when it involved hiding the tools everywhere and trying to find them.

Here is Luke (note the purse) hugging/tackling Austin. That was also a favorite game. Luke was such a lovely houseguest too. He went to bed at 8 p.m. and slept until 9:30 the next morning. Aunt Kelly liked it--but kept going in to check on him the next morning in disbelief, as her children have NEVER slept that late.

The next evening, Christmas Eve, we had a nice Mexican feast at our house with mom and dad, Amy and Keith and Luke, Erin and Ken, aunt Beth and uncle Mo and Katie! It was so much fun to have everyone together and great to see Katie after 11 months. Here is some of the unwrapping fun.

Luke in the new Viking hat we got him. It was so cute!

Karsen, Luke, and Austin in their Christmas pajamas...waiting for Santa!

On Christmas Day, the kids were up about 7:30 to see what Santa had put in their stockings and left for them. Here are some stocking surprises.

Santa left Karsen a set of all seven Disney Princesses in their new dresses.

Santa left Austin a new Vulcan Nerf gun. It is very close to being bigger than he is.

Austin's big gift from mom and dad was a PSP. He likes it a lot.

Here is Karsen with her big gift from mom and dad--a Just Like Me American Girl doll. It has Karsen's brown straight medium length hair, medium skin, and brown eyes. She immediately changed it into the soccer outfit and cleats we bought her to go with it and she has been an excellent traveling companion over the last few days.

Then we went to a yummy Christmas dinner at uncle Gary and aunt Betty's house. Here is Grandma Purvis with the kids and the birdhouse Austin made and painted for Grandma.

Kalli giving her new dog kisses.

Then it was on to Grandma and Papa Hall's for a little more Christmas...

Austin dressed up like a Star Wars character with his new mask and laser gun.

Karsen and mommy enjoyed building a Lego house with her new set of pink Legos.

And mommy enjoyed staying warm in her new Colts Snuggie!

After a long weekend at work, we had a fun Monday as well. We went to aunt Beth and uncle Mo's for a pizza dinner and to see them and Katie of course. It was SO nice to catch up, and we are looking forward to seeing a lot of Katie while she is home for almost all of January!

Karsen is going to have a sleepover with her friend Kate at her teacher Miss Beth's house tonight--that was a great vacation surprise! My friend Lisa (Kate's mom) is Miss Beth's niece, and Kate has been wanting to have a sleepover with Karsen for quite some time. Miss Beth kindly invited both girls over this evening to play and stay, and then tomorrow morning they are planning to play in the snow. Karsen and Kate are very excited and planning to annoy surprise Miss Beth with the Hannah Montana movie and their dance moves to the lovely songs that accompany it. Also, I forgot to take a picture, but thanks to Grandma and Papa Beneker, Karsen has been practicing the High School Musical dance moves and getting pretty good at some of the steps.