A competitive game of Scrabble followed a game of rousing game of Scattergories.
The whole family together (even Aunt Linda!) for the rosary meant every bead in each decade was accounted for (since the two little boys don't pray a Hail Mary yet), and every Guardian Angel was saluted by its child. This is a symphony to the ears of parents!

"Brunch" which we didn't eat until after around 1 or 2 in the afternoon because we made a trip to the airport to get Grandma and Grandpa, and then swung around to bring our dear Aunt Nina home with us to spend the day.

Then, everyone opened presents, tried on clothes and costumes, played with toys, watched a new Brian Regan DVD and visited with our friend, Alena, as well as our Uncle Dave and Aunt Donna and Grandmom, who all braved the storm to spend the afternoon with us...

It was a lovely day! And, boy are we pooped! We were up until after midnight Christmas Eve, waiting for our Omaha contingent to get in. Then we didn't get home from Midnight Mass until after 2 am last night.

Do you suppose we'll get some teenager to get up with the Littles so their Dad and I can sleep in tomorrow morning? That is the beauty of having big kids around, right? Um, well, sorta.

This is what will happen. I'm making a prediction:

They'll get up with them, yes... But, then, of course, they'll fall back asleep on the couch, while our two-year-old climbs into the Christmas candy, and the little girls pull out everything I put away to play with "later" (You know, like the playdough...) And, they will not be quiet. And they will have sweets and eggnog for breakfast. And somebody will make coffee and spill grounds and sugar all over the kitchen.

And I might fuss, but you know what? I love it. My children are all home.