Christmas & Polar Express

We stayed in El Paso this year for Christmas since we were going home to St. Louis in January. It was sad not seeing family but so nice to just relax at home, especially since all of us except Stella had some sort of cold/sickness that week. We just hung out at home and Owen got to play with all his new toys.

Since we were staying in El Paso everyone sent their gifts. After we set all the presents out the night before I told Shaun this was ridiculous. We have such a generous family and it doesn't help that Owen and Stella are the only grandkids on all sides except for my mom's (I have 2 nephews so Stella is the only girl). I just hope the kids don't expect this every year.

This is how we found Stella Christmas morning.

Owen helping his sis open her first present.

One of the presents Owen asked from Santa was a jack-in-the-box. I asked him if he got everything he wanted:

Owen - "Yeah, well, not everything"

Me - "What didn't you get?"

Owen - "A computer and phone."

Me - "You have a computer and phone."

Owen - "No, one like daddy."

4 1/2 years old and he already wants a real laptop and a real cell phone. I told him not before he's 5.

She was more interested in eating the wrapping paper than the presents.

Gift from her aunty Rach and she has on the "Baby's First Christmas" hat that Owen wore for his first Christmas.

The week of Christmas we took a trip up to Durango, CO to take a ride on the Polar Express. We kept it a secret from Owen until we got there - not that Shaun didn't slip up quite a few times. He was so excited but I think we were just as excited.

Waiting for the train.

Here it comes.

Yummy hot chocolate. Owen didn't want his so I drank his too.

Stella's "hot chocolate"

Santa giving Owen the first gift of Christmas . . .

A bell

This was such a fun trip, I think we'll have to do it every year.