Christmas 2011...

I must admit--for the first time I can remember, I found myself looking a little past Christmas day because I knew we had Alex's arrival just around the corner.  We still enjoyed ourselves, of course, and we definitely enjoyed one of the most low-key holidays ever.  It was nice to be able to really concentrate on the holiday itself and to spend important time with our families.  To say that Sam liked Christmas is an understatment.  We swore we wouldn't go overboard this year, but I think all of us--grandparents included--wanted to make sure that Sam felt special. 

I'm afraid that Sam is going to be a little disappointed next year when he doesn't have 3 separate gift opening sessions.  Christmas Eve we went to church then headed over to MP and Joe's to have our Christmas with them.  Christmas morning was spent at our house, and Santa certainly decided that Sam had been a good boy.  My parents came down on the 28th so that we could have Christmas with them and so that they would be here for Alex's birthday the following morning. 

He did have on some cute knee socks with his saddle shoes, but those didn't last long after we got home. 

 Helping Papa unwrap gifts.  Sam is especially good at unwrapping gifts.

 And helping Sissy...

 This is our new cheesy on demand smile.   

 Stockings hung by the chimney with care.  Alex's stocking was included.

 Remember that Sam asked for Santa' sack?  Well, Santa delivered. 

 Christmas morning

 Bedhead

 Trying to figure out if Santa's sack is never ending.  Newsflash--it's not. 

Enjoying his firestation that Mimi and Grandy gave him.  The fireman obsession continues. 

We probably went overboard this year, but I felt that he needed some special attention since his world was about to permanently change.  Probably not the best way to transition, but we couldn't help ourselves.  Chalk it up to parental guilt.