Blessed Beyond Measure: 2014 Christmas Afternoon & Evening

After opening presents and our late morning Christmas breakfast (which I wrote about in a previous blog), we enjoyed a little more play time and then nap time (for Asher) and preparation for Klingenmaier Christmas (for the rest of us). It was obvious by this time, that Asher wasn't feeling well. Avery had been stuffed up for a couple of days, but otherwise seemed fine. Asher on the other hand seemed to be going down hill quickly, so it was good that he was able to take a nap before the day's excitement continued. Once I had gotten most of what I needed to get done accomplished, I grabbed my calendar and had a three month photo shoot with Avery while Asher slept. When I was finished, Asher was still sleeping and our visitors had not yet arrived, so I threw some Christmas hats on my littlest man and continued shooting! :)

When Asher woke, we still had a little time before the Klingenmaier crew showed up and since we hadn't gotten around to our stockings yet, we decided to take some time do check them out. Grandma & Papa got some "Santa" stockings too, but since I couldn't find all of our back-up stockings, Grandma got a Birthday gift bag (Happy Birthday Jesus, right?) instead!

Eric with his boys.

Asher & Eric checking out Asher's "Gold Deb-looms"

Not long after we finished going through our stockings, Aaron, Erika and the boys showed up to celebrate the remainder of Christmas with us. The boys immediately flocked to the tree and surveyed the loot from Grandma and Papa beneath, and since patience is not something that boys under the age of 5 posses, we let them get right to work opening everything up.

Cousins! Asher, Micah, Avery, Caleb & Hudson

Family reindeer stockings!...Avery's was still a work in process.

Notice Emma in the background, trying to act like she is supposed to be sitting on the couch! Sassy pup!

Caleb & Hudson getting their mommy to open the M&Ms for them.

Emma enjoying her new bone!

Again, Asher got to enjoy opening Avery's gifts for him.

Asher got a play microwave...he loves it!

Asher was also excited that he received the biggest present...a play-size folding table and chairs.

Eric & Asher checking out the new doctor kit.

Taking after Grandma M?

Mom opening the boys' gift for them.

Grandma & Papa to Asher, "Awww, did you make these?"

The boy's Penguin Footprint Ornamanets...gifts for the grandparents this year!

Aaron & Erika excited by their gift...a toilet!

Hudson

The big boys checking out Caleb & Micah's new remote control (non-flying) planes.

When almost all of the gifts had been opened, Grandma and Papa had three more left to give to the eldest grandchildren. A while back, I wrote about a fart gun that Asher had found in a toy store when we went to see Santa with the rest of the family, and how all of the boys (both young and old), were quite excited by them. Apparently, when Grandma and Papa went out to figure out what to get the boys for Christmas, Papa (Dad) remembered the fart blaster and inquired about it at ToysRUs. He was told that they were the #1 selling toy last year(!!) and found that they happened to have three left in stock, thus the perfect Christmas present for our crazy little guys was found!

"See Mom?"

Video: Fart Guns

Coincidentally, when I was trying to think of an idea to get Dad for Christmas, I also remembered the fart blaster and (although he wouldn't admit this) the childlike glee on my father's face when he saw it and the fun the boys were having with it. I called my mom not long before Christmas to ask her if she had any Christmas ideas for him and then told her of my crazy idea. Because I had thought of this, she in turn told me that they had already purchased three of them for Asher, Caleb and Micah. At this point, I knew that I HAD to get one for Papa as well, if all of the little guys were going to get them! That night, I got on Amazon to finalize my order, but was saddened to see that in the past few hours since I'd discussed this with my mom, the fart blaster had sold out! The next day I searched everywhere online, but couldn't find one available anywhere for a decent price online or within range of Kenosha. I did, however, find one at the Walmart in Marinette, WI and asked to see if my Aunt Judy (who lived close) would be willing to get it for me. She was, and called to have them hold it, but when she got there to pick it up they had sold it. Then she called Shopko. Again, they had one left which they said they would hold and when she got there it was gone! Finally, she contacted a Shopko about 30 miles away, showed up at 7am to get it and the fart blaster was in family possession. A BIG thank you to Aunt Judy for making this possible! :)

The blaster was passed off to my mom and brought down to Kenosha for me to wrap and give to dad. We all had a good laugh...

Dad, wondering what the final gift under the tree could be...

Doh!! Another fart gun!

Video: Papa's Surprise Gift

So, it was truly a "Christmas Miracle" and the boys, young and old had a grand time making disgusting noises for the rest of the day!

Video: The Boys & Their Toys

After all of the presents were open, all of the boys (save Avery) headed outside to burn up some energy and play with Caleb's new toy: A suction-cup bow & arrow!

The arrow made their way to the boys' foreheads rather than the target.

In the meantime, we girls got things cleaned up and worked on getting dinner ready...well Mom did most of the work as we enjoyed her famous (and delicious) lasagna!

The big boys enjoyed dinner at Asher's new table.

Hudson's Kissy Face.

After dinner, we enjoyed some low-key game time with the kids. This year we decided that rather than exchanging gifts with Aaron and Erika's family, we would just buy some cheap "prizes" for the boys to win and play some games. Since it got late faster than we thought, we only got around to playing Pin the Nose on Rudolph and Christmas Bingo. It was a nice quiet way to end the evening though.

Asher & Caleb with their Rudolph suckers.

Micah with his Bumble sucker.

Dad keeping Avery company

As one of the prizes, each of the boys received a lego-esque truck to assemble.

Asher & I building a fire truck

Aaron & Erika helping Caleb and Micah assemble their trucks.

Finally, the night was drawing to a close. I had a couple of last minute presents for Asher (which had fallen behind the washing machine after I wrapped them). Then, we played a little bit longer, said goodbye to the Klingenmaier family and headed off to bed (after Eric, Dad and I watched most of Elf). It was a wonderful Christmas and great memories for our first Family Christmas at home!