The Kirkland Kingdom: Christmas 2010

We had a great Christmas this year. It was the first year since Marc and I have been married that we were at our own home for Christmas. It was nice not to have to travel with 2 5.75 month olds, a 4.5 year old, and all the toys. The best part was that Marc's parents came here to celebrate with us and to meet the twins. We had a great time! The weather was pretty nice and we had a blast playing cards. Andrew even got to play the card game "Golf" with all the grown-ups.

He was super excited about Christmas this year and the look on his face as he came down the stairs and saw what Santa brought was priceless! It was a bike for him and a table and chairs for him and the twins and the twins got a little tree house toy. In Andrew's stocking he got candy and an electric toothbrush. The twins got some engraved spoons, a giraffe toy and a teething ring. It was a really great day.

Later on that day GAM and her family came over for some beans and Fritos and to see the kids presents. Andrew then tried out his bike. Not the most successful venture. He crashed into parked car and when he got up he told Marc that "Bikes are dangerous. I think I need to wait till I am James' age (12) to try again.". He is still a bit scared to try again and each time I suggest it he cries.

A few days after Christmas we went to El Paso to see the family there. We didn't make it up there at Thanksgiving this year so we decided to go after Christmas. It was nice to see everyone and while we were there Marc and I got go to the Sun Bowl. A friend of ours was able to let us buy tickets and we took my dad. He thoroughly enjoyed himself and giving Marc a hard time. It was a tad cold as it has snowed the night before and a little that morning. That night we went to a New Years dance with my parents, my sister Kathrine and her family, my brother and his wife and my aunt and uncle. It had been a while since we had anywhere to go for New Year's Eve. I think the best part of the night was seeing my nieces and nephews dance and all of us "old people" embarrassing them. Andrew had so much fun playing with his cousins. He was sad to come home. I had the best time playing Dance Party 2 (I think that's what it is called) on the Wii at my sister's house. I wish I had time to do that at home.

The babies did really well on the drive up there and back. It was mostly Bernadette that cried, but she does that no matter what when she's been in the car for a while so it was easier to ignore. We stopped at my sister Elizabeth's on the way there and back. It was nice to visit with her and her family and to see their new puppy. The babies did get a bit cranky right before we got home when we hit rush hour. But over all I can't complain. It was a great way to end 2010 and start 2011.

Becca, Bernadette, Grandma Kate, Andrew, Grandpa Jebb,