Christmas Morning 2010

 Christmas morning is always a thrill whether or not you are a child.  Santa has never stopped coming to see me in 33 years and for 33 years, my pile of Santa loot is always in the same place every Christmas morning.  The curious thrill of what awaits you from the jolly man in red is certainly one of my fondest moments.  Each year, it takes me back to being a little girl and the incredible "wow" factor my siblings and I had when we rushed down the stairs to see what Santa left us.

(note:  Do you see what I see? Army men in the Christmas tree)

With this treasure in my heart, I don't intend for Santa to ever miss our house as the years come and go.   This year was particularly sweet because William really "got it."  He talked all month long about Santa coming, the reindeer and what they might like to eat, making sure his list was in order and in the mail, his elf Candy Cane, and most importantly, his awareness of Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus.  He's even able to talk about the Christmas story and how Christmas isn't just about presents, but about Jesus.  Be still my heart!

So Christmas Eve night, he went to bed in full anticipation of Santa and airplanes.  Christmas morning he was up early and shouting "SANTA CAME DADA!  LET'S GO SEE WHAT HE BROUGHT ME!"  So Dan got the video rolling and I got the camera ready and William charged down the stairs with a smile on his face.  He rounded the corner, and his whole face just sparkled!

"WOW!  OH MY GOODNESS!  I GOT EVERYTHING I ASKED SANTA TO BRING! THANK YOU SO MUCH SANTA!  OH MY GOODNESS!"  And the smile NEVER left his face.

He LOVED LOVED LOVED the boxed airplanes Santa brought him.  He was overjoyed that Santa left several still in the packaging so William could unbox them.  "Unboxing" airplanes is one of his favorite games to play.  He likes us to watch him as if he was doing a demonstration on QVC.  It's hilarious yet so endearing.  He just could not believe he got so many model planes.  Pure Joy.

He also got an airport, 2 Light Sabers, a Lego Duplo cargo plane with people, an electric train set (HUGE hit), a Playmobil Private Jet (another HUGE hit), a Busytown board game, a money bank, and lots of maps.  He loves a good map.

I have so many pictures of him opening gifts on Christmas morning, but these are some of my favorites.  Oh, if I could only bottle up these moments in time.  365 days is a long time to wait to experience such a FUN morning all over again!