Merry Merry!

Christmas morning was indeed magical...just as I expected it to be.  Jack woke up grinning at 8:30 and we, of course, had to pry Sam off the pillow.  He remembered instantly that Santa should have come and was ready to hop out of bed right then.  We checked from room to room before going to the den to find all the toys. The look on their faces was priceless and perfect.  Pure happiness.  They were both a little overwhelmed but soon made their way to each toy.  Sam kept saying, "Santa brought me all this stuff!"

No surprises...Sam went straight for the tractor.

The big red barn was Sam's absolute favorite toy. He couldn't stop smiling.

Trying out the horse...we're still trying to master this one.

Jack tries to lift a few diapers with his bulldozer.

Loving his Fropper!

An unexpected surprise...Poppa brought Crawford up to the house for a quick ride.  Sam and Madi hopped on and rode down the driveway.  Don't you love the cowboy hat with the pajamas?

Then Sam decided to be the little gentleman and let Madi ride alone while he led the horse.  He's smitten, I think.

Sam took a ride on the new horse swing from G-Ma and Poppa.  Jack has a matching one but he was napping and missed the ride.

Later, we went to lunch at Papa's Place.  I looked over to find Jack flat on his back in Joseph's lap, eating pineapple cake...what a life!

Into the sink he went for a quick bath!

The swimming dog was a hit tonight in the tub.  Jack checked him out thoroughly.

They flipped him over to see him attempt the backstroke.

And soon he was doing belly flops into the tub.  He may not last long around here.

Now for the bad news...

Although the day was wonderful and the boys had a great time, they are both still not feeling 100%.  Sam has not eaten in two days and is exhausted.  He feels sick on his stomach and would stop in the middle of playing to run over and crawl in my lap and lay his head on my shoulder.  Jack threw up this morning after trying to eat and hasn't eaten much all day (except for that pineapple cake).  His balance is off so terribly because of his ear infections that he has fallen down at least fifteen times today.  Hard falls.  The final fall was tonight outside.  He fell face first right into a bench outside and cried himself to sleep.  I checked his mouth to make sure he wasn't cut and discovered two pretty little molars preparing to break through.  This little buddy has had it rough. Molars, terrible cold, double ear infection...but still a happy, sweet boy.  I tried to take pictures of his battered little face, two bumps over his eye, a bruised chin and and red mark on his check, but he wouldn't sit still.  Jody and I chose to keep the boys home tonight and missed Christmas at my grandparents.  I hated this but I knew both boys felt horrible and really just needed to rest and get better.  Jack was asleep before 8:00 and Sam is patiently waiting for me to take him to bed right now...he has been asking to go to bed since 6:00 but I have tried to make him stay up and try to eat and drink a little.  We have Christmas at my parent's tomorrow night (which has already been rescheduled once due to all five kids being sick) and I want them to feel great and have fun.  We are ready to be well around here!