Our Christmas Weekend!

Our Christmas weekend started out Friday afternoon with my preparations for our eggnog and fondue get together. I spent the whole afternoon in prep as we decided to make 2 cheese and 1 choclate fondue. This involved grating like 16 cups of cheese as well as the rest of the prep. I was calm until it was time to actually get the fondue pot going and then got nervous. I have never actually made fondue before and hoped I wouldn't mess it up. Dan was great and helped out a lot. Everything was ready by the time the doorbell rang with our first guests.

I had a surprise planned that I didn't know for sure whether it would happen or not. I had attempted to get in contact with Santa to see if he could attend. As I communicateds through others I wasn't sure whether he would make it or not and so I did not share with anyone that me might make a visit. Thus, when the doorbell rang at 7:30 and I sent Dan to answer, he was quite in shock when he Santa at the door and didn't know whether to let him in or not. Dan was quite confused. Santa hung out on our couch while Caleb was first to sit on his knee and receive a candy cane. He made sure that Santa knew that we had a chimney for him for the next day and that he would be leaving milk and cookies out for him. The only kids not scared of Santa were Caleb, Elton and yes, our dog Max (he took a turn on Santa' knee too).

Saturday morning Dan and Caleb dropped myself and Elton off at Moxie Java so I could get a coffee and so they could do a little last minute shopping. Then we went to our church's candlelight Christmas Eve service where Caleb got to hold and blow out Jesus' birthday candle. He did very well for the service and kept wanting more music. When we got home Caleb wanted to get his jammies on because he told us that after he went to sleep, the Polar Express was going to wake him up and take him to the North Pole while he drank hot choclate. He got Santa's snack out and then the boys went to bed.

At 7am we got up and went to check the stockings out. Santa's snack was gone and the stockings were full. Caleb got his D199 engine he had asked for and Elton got his first train. The dogs loved their stockings too. Max has always thought he is a person and you would have a difficult time convincing him otherwise. He was very satisfied with his treats as you can see in the picture. He didn't move from that spot on the couch until early afternoon on which he promptly returned after a quick trip outside to take care of business. After the stockings, we proceeded to the Christmas tree to open presents. Elton received his own train table as Caleb had requested for him and both boys received some more train stuff with a few other gifts. Caleb was quite excited that Elton could now share his train stuff with him.

After opening gifts we met Grandpa and Grandma Bonnes at IHOP for breakfast. This was difficult for Caleb as he had to leave his toys. We then hung out until about 1:30 when the prep began for our Christmas dinner. We put on the 16 pund prime rib packed in rock salt and I finished the trifle I was making. Dan's parents, siblings, and our nieces and nephews were here for our dinner. The prime rib was cooked perfectly (Dan gets the credit) and melted in everyone's mouths. The rest of the dinner was great. When clean up from dinner was done we moved on to our family gift exchange which the kids were more than ready for. There was wrapping paper everywhere and fun was had by everyone. Then dessert - trifle was a hit!

Everyone headed home and as you can see by the last picture, dogs and kids were passed out. I felt like I could, but hung in there. All I can say at this point is, what a fabulous Christmas!!
We are so blessed!!