12.29.05: a simple Christmas

It was a quiet but special Christmas for us at home. Traditionally, we drive 400 miles south to be with my family to celebrate the holidays. Although we missed being down there with them, it was also nice to just focus on Mason and Avery and enjoy their very first Christmas.

Mason opened up his first present early on Christmas Eve, and since Avery slept through the entire evening, he opened his on Christmas day. (Somehow Mary avoided being photographed!). The boys had plenty of gifts under our tiny 12" potted tree, all from generous friends and family. Believe it or not, none were from us (nor Santa). We decided to go in with Santa and open up their first savings accounts as their gift; we'll be adding the cash gifts the boys received to give them an even better start!

Mason picked out his first gift himself, probably because of the shiny, glittery wrap. (Thank you Tami, Mats and Travis!)

Avery took even more of a liking to the wrap, moving the gift aside to shred and shake the wrapper. It was rather funny.

I haven't held both boys in my lap for a photo in a long time. Avery is actively teething right now, so we couldn't keep his hands out of his mouth. In fact, he makes very loud slurping sounds when he sucks on his fingers; Mason and I found the sound effects quite humorous!