Christmas at the Bachli's

Time again for opening presents!  We had a delicious dinner at Grandma & Grandpa's house with the whole family.  Then we opened gifts. 

Christmas morning

Christmas morning was a blur! Zachary climbed in our bed at 5:50 am. Santa hadn't visited us yet, because the Christmas tree lights weren't turned on yet. So he squirmed around, waiting for the tree lights to signal the toys had arrived, and for his sister to wake up. Around 6:20 we noticed the lights were on - and he jumped out of bed telling us that he was going to wake up Sydney! Luckily we stopped him and we got a couple more minutes of laying in bed :) Soon enough Sydney came running into our bedroom and the craziness began!

It was flying wrapping paper everywhere - gift after gift!!

They were very excited for their gifts from Santa - Sydney got a Password Journal, MP3 player, and the Blackout Bingo game. Zachary got an MP3 player, Hot Wheels cars, Pokemon cards and a baby penguin. The kids also got a bunch of gift from us, including (Zachary) OSU blanket, sleeping bag, car calendar, Bakugan balls and from Sydney he got a night sky projection kit, and a race car kit. Sydney got the Apples to Apples game, a sleeping bag, snowmen earrings and from Zachary she got a spiral art toy and pretty ornament he made at school. Both kids also got us presents such as wonderful Christmas pictures and decorations. With some help from Grandma and Grandpa Willford, both kids got DSi's. The DSi's were definately a hit, but they did love everything they got.

Reindeer food

The kindergartens were all sent home with bags of "Reindeer food" for Christmas Eve.  As it got later in the night, and we started tracking Santa's travels on NORAD, it was time to put the food out to welcome the sleigh to our house. 
This is what our Reindeer food said:
Sprinkle on the lawn at night

The moon will make it sparkle bright
As Santa's reindeer fly and roam
This will guide them to your home

We found the perfect spot for it out in the backyard and sprinkled it around.  I think it's going to work!!

Christmas Eve Fun - a skiing refresher course

The kids needed a refresher course before hitting the slopes of Boyne soon, so Alan took them over to the new sledding hill.  It went pretty well - the top of the hill was too steep for the first run, but by gradually working their way up to the top they were able to conquer in no time.

After skiing it was time for sledding.  Sometime during this fun Zachary had requested to be spun as he went down on the circle sled.  Alan was glad to oblige and said that he would spin him so fast that "his eyes would bleed!".  Apparently that was an omen as Zachary did crash and come home with a bit of a bruise/scratch from this morning!  (photographic evidence to be seen in just a few days....)

Warming up by the fire.  Ahhhh.  The best part of the trip was when they stopped over to my office and miraculously I was allowed to go home from work after their visit.  Good thing my boss has a soft spot for families!!

Can we PLEEEEEEASE open a present??

First the kids kept asking why there weren't any presents under the Christmas tree.  Given that Santa doesn't bring all of the gifts at our house, there were getting downright anxious and curious where the gifts were.  So I put a few under there.  THEN, they begged to open just one present.   Alan had the perfect idea....  so we gave them each a small present to unwrap....

They were quite surprised to find the gift contained their own underpants and socks!!  haha  Hope they remember it next time they want to open a present!!

Family Christmas Pictures

Aren't we a good looking bunch??  These could have easily been used at Christmas card photos - too bad I took them on Christmas Eve :)  My family just *loves* these photo sessions.  Well maybe "love" is a bit strong of a word to use.  haha

Fun day with Mom

Since it is now Winter Break from school, we decided to have a fun Monday.  We met up with Chase over at Playground World in Sylvania.  Chase and Zachary don't get many chances to play together anymore because Chase no longer goes to Discovery.  They were very happy to see each other again :)

After playing at Playground World, we went over to the mall and Sydney checked out what her next purchase would be over at Build A Bear.  She selected a robe and slippers for her bear, very cute!



We love Legos!!

Aren't Legos the best?!  The kids have so much playing and making fun new creations with them.