Just us - there’s a little of the before, but mostly it’s the after...

Sick little Monkey

Although Chunky Monkey looked at her kitchen, she was not impressed.

She wanted nothing more than to just be held.

She couldn't even open her present without coughing like crazy!She is learning so much!

Pretend play is something that did not come easily to Chunky Monkey.

She sure is starting to figure it out...except I have obviously failed to teach her that we don't pour coffee onto brutally hot burners on the stove!

Beautiful even when sick!

Around 8:30, I finally gave in to Julien's begging and we woke Monkey.

104. fever and she still looked beautiful!

Christmas Morning!

Julien woke us at 6:00 a.m.

Not bad for Christmas Morning!

Monkey was so sick, we didn't bother to wake her, so we were able to give Julien 100% of our attention.

It was very, very nice!

Keeping it simple

I decided a few years back, that it is more important for my children to understand the meaning of Christmas instead of it being a time of endless presents.

I was very proud of how well we did this year.

Monkey got a kitchen (no, not the pink kitchen from Pottery Barn that all of our other friends got their children) and J-Rod a couple presents that he had requested.

Santa's elves were slackers this Christmas Eve.

They didn't put the finishing touches on the kitchen, no decorative borders or knobs for the cabinet doors, but they did get in bed before day break!

It is not about the number of gifts, but the gifts that are given from the heart and that we feel would be most appreciated.

Dancing, dancing, dancing!

Monkey got a few new toys that make music!

She loves them!

(That mess all over her shirt is from the rice krispy house the kids made for Santa. No, I didn't take the time to change her and I didn't feel bad about it either...)