Christmas Day

Shockingly, our Christmas Day did not begin until after 7:00 am and it was wonderful!  Even though we needed to leave for the airport at 11:45 and still had to do Christmas, meals, finish packing, etc. we did not set the alarm, quite confident that Marshall would come bounding in at 5:30 just like he did a few days earlier.  Not so!  

He came wandering into our room sleepy-eyed just after 7:00 asking if it was morning.  We said yes and he quickly became filled with excitement.  Within seconds both of his sisters were awake and we gathered all three kids on the top bunk while Richard got things ready and checked to see if Santa had come.

While Marshall was waiting he took a peak out of his bedroom blinds and was convinced, and is still convinced, that he saw Rudolph on the next street over.  Bridget took a peak and confirmed this.  He actually just brought this up to me the other day, so he is still thinking about it.  I love it.  He was so, so excited that Rudolph was in the neighborhood.  

We kept Santa presents small this year.  We tried to focus on smaller things that the kids could take with them on the plane.  We had a great morning.  It was relaxing enough, but still exciting, and we managed to pull out right at 11:45.  Our house was a mess, which is very atypical for me and vacations, but oh well, it was Christmas!  And I am just now realizing I hardly took any pictures that morning...oops!

This girl LOVES babies!  I have known for months this is what she needed for Christmas.  

By 12:30 we were checked in at the airport and ready to go.  

We were really, really hoping that traveling on Christmas would bring less crowds.  Not so.  It seemed like a pretty typical travel day.  However, everyone, and I mean everyone was SO friendly.  We probably heard "Merry Christmas!" about 30 times that day.  Also, within seconds of walking into the airport, Southwest employees handed each one of the kids a wrapped gift.  My initial thought was, "Oh great, now I have three more things to stuff into these bags and these are all going to be cheap, worthless toys."  I was completely proven wrong!  Rachel got a stuffed animal, Bridget got a puzzle, and Marshall got a card game!  They are still playing with these things!

Our flight was delayed, and it took forever to get our luggage in D.C., and even longer to get a rental car and all the carseats...BUT we finally made it to the McAllister's home for the best evening.  It was so great to be reunited with this family and to make it even better, another family who used to live in Milwaukee, was there as well.  Karisa had cooked a fantastic Christmas feast, and we talked the evening away, while all nine kids played the night away.  It really was so wonderful.  We have been lucky to know some of the best people in Milwaukee.  

It was certainly a memorable Christmas, and one we will never forget!