Better late than never! But I refuse to admit where we found the camera cord....
Christmas Eve at our house: the calm before the chaos.Cole wore the suit that Ryan's Aunt Debbie made for Ryan when he was Cole's age!
This Christmas was so much fun. Cole loved opening his presents, although he is so spoiled that he actually got tired of opening them and had to be repeatedly reminded to keep opening. We had four Christmases, sort of. On Christmas Eve we had Christmas with Ryan's extended family. There were 21 of us, I think. After church we all went back to Grandma and Grandpa Sharrow's house for dinner and then presents. All of the people and animals (did I mention the four cats and four dogs???) were a little overwhelming for Cole at first, but he quickly warmed up to the large crowd and took over as the center of attention. Better not get too used to that, Buddy!! Baby Sharrow #2 is not far behind! Next year, I guess there will be 22 of us....scary.
Buried in gifts...what troubled economy?
Cole and Dana (and Curious George)
Oh my gosh!! A huge truck!!
And it's full of MegaBlocks!!
This thing is a crazy spinning snow globe thing. It is truly crazy.
Playing with Dana
and JeffEarly Christmas morning, we had our own Christmas, just the three of us, at our house. We have decided we like this tradition. We started it last year, and it gives us a chance to be just our little family, enjoying Christmas morning together. More presents....it never ends. Poor kid.
Ooh! A train set!
Ooh! A train set!
New DVDs!! One can only watch "Monsters, Inc." so many times.
Helping Daddy put together the train table.
Reading intently about the latest adventures of Curious George.
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A few hours later, long after we had opened all of our presents, put them together, played with them, eaten breakfast, and gotten dressed, we headed back over to Grandpa and Grandma Sharrow's house where the last few Sharrows were just getting up. Ahhh....I remember those days.....It has been nearly two years since we've slept past 5:30.....even on the weekend. Again more presents. Cole has it rough. Seriously.
After a filling brunch, we packed up and headed down to Forest Lake to spend the remainder of Christmas Day with the Iverson side of the family. It is so funny how different the two experiences are: 21 people and 8 animals down to six people and no animals. They are both fun, and it is nice to get to experience both, but almost like whiplash to have them on the same day.
Reading Dr. Seuss with Grandma Iverson....wearing the Santa hat that Grandpa finally got Cole to agree to wear....
Um, yes. That would be more presents.
Yes! Building blocks!
Opening the musical instruments from Uncle Brad: a drum, maracas, aharmonica, and a tamborine. Very fitting gift from someone who lives hundreds of miles away and is therefore well out of range. Just wait. You know what they say about paybacks....
Cole had to settle for the Merry-Go-Round at the Maplewood Mall when we arrived at the Minnesota Zoo just one hour before closing time. Didn't anyone think to check the hours on the website before we left???
Cole didn't seem too disappointed after Grandpa continued toshell out $2 after $2 for ride after ride.
Uncle Todd and Cole in their matching jacketsWhen we got back to Duluth, Ryan's extended family, most of whom were still in town, decided to go on a sleigh ride. We drove out to the country and had an amazing time being pulled by these two gorgeous, enormous horses. It was cold, but we had hot chocolate and hot cider afterward and then dinner out at The Sunset.
Our family of three.... for a bit longer anyway!
