And they came two by two (and three and four and five)

Christmas Day came in three time periods.  The morning when B and his two parents opened their gifts and discovered what Santa brought.  The afternoon when Nana and Grandpa visited nearby daughter, A, and her kids' house to be reminded of how glad we are that the days of mounds of new toys, wrapping paper and cardboard are over for us!  We remember what it was  like when you have a grundle of kids and enough money to spoil them creating a ginormous mess!
And the late afternoon/evening when the whole family descends on our house for the buffet traditionally set out in the dining room and gift exchange. 

Granddaughter, A, loved her"make-up!"

Grandson, J, got a remote control robot.  He was intrigued and mastered it before going home.

Hard to see, but it's grandson, N, with his Batmobile and characters.  Since he got a Bat Cave and also wanted the car, Nana really ranks!

S and J (the Ute).  It took T several pictures to get this kiss, but I don't know why.  They're mushy all the time.

Son J, the Cougar's, first I-pod.  He was happy!

Son B's girlfriend, Britni.  She had come over a while back and got lots of pictures of him growing up and made the most darling DVD for him.  When I watched it I cried!  I know, just a weepy mom who sometimes struggles with how fast her kids have grown up.

Daugther M and husband S.  Baby S was napping.

This is the coolest dish rack.  I'm not sure Daughter A even knew what it was and J, the original Ute, doesn't seem too impressed, either!

I decided that I would start another, yes, say it, TRADITION!  This is the sterling silver charm bracelet I had growing up.  I gave each granddaughter a sterling silver bracelet and charms chosen specifically for them.  I told them that they could each choose one of my charms to keep and I will give them a new charm each birthday and at Christmas.

Here I am explaining to the family about the bracelets.  I don't  think the granddaughters will understand or appreciate this gesture till they are older, but I think their moms do.

Son J, the Cougar, with Baby Z and wife, A.

Here is son-in-law, J, the Original Ute, looking at the Fifth Book of Anderson.

The kids made us stand up to open some of our presents and cheese it for the camera.

Santa brought us The Beatles Rockband.  I guess Santa knew that I would actually be able to participate if the songs were OLD enough.  I like Rockband because someone sings, someone plays the guitar, someone plays bass and someone else plays drums.

Sergeant J's Lonely Hearts Club Band...

We also got a Wii.  And at daughter A's prodding, Santa got Mario Brothers.  The kids had this game on their old Nintendo growing up.  I grew to hate the music with a passion!  But on Christmas it was great because the laughing and humor between the adult kids was just like when the oldest was 12! 

The traditional puzzle.  Daughter M was very proud of getting a piece in!