Anticipation was running high by Christmas Eve, but we still had to find ways to fill time before heading to Grandma and Grandpa's for our traditional late-afternoon gathering. Captain Underpants by the Christmas tree

Daniel got into the reading act once we got to Grandma and Grandpa's, sharing Pete the Cat with Great-Grandpa, an appreciative audience. This was Great-Grandpa's first Christmas trip to Coralville and we were so glad to have him with us to celebrate.

Some of us considered the delicious Christmas ham the main event and feasted until we could hardly move. But the boys would not let us forget that the true highlight was still to come as they dashed downstairs to open presents. The reactions here would be the same if any of the evening's gifts were photoshopped in. This electric circuits set and Lego book were highlights.

And the Ninja Turtle and Superman mask sweatshirts were put into immediate wardrobe rotation.

 Little did we know that most of the next month would actually be TOO cold for new sleds?! The words "polar vortex" were not yet part of our vocabulary.

 

And finally, we had to weigh the rudeness of plugging oneself into headphones while in a social setting against the blissful silence that accompanied their tuning into their new iPods, pre-loaded by Dad with all their favorite songs.

A very Merry Christmas for all!