Burke Christmas 2008

Merry Christmas!

We have had a wonderful family week! Curtis has been off all week thanks to Michael Dell who shuts down the company all Christmas week (very generous for someone who doesn't even celebrate Christmas)! We kicked off the week by taking the kids putt putt golfing, which was a really fun time! We have hit the playground, the stores, friends parties, cleaned the garage, cleaned the house about 10 to many times, made cookies, Schuyler had her second ever sleep over at a 9 year old's party she was invited to, and many other activities!

One day while shopping (and after the sleepover where Schuyler stayed up until about 1am), she was being a pill. We pulled the Santa card and said that he might not come if she is behaving poorly. Schuyler said, "I don't care!" At first we were worried that maybe the 9 and 10 year old girls might have said something to hurt her feelings (among other secrets), and then realized Schuyler was just grumpy and tired. Later that day she wrote an apology note to Santa. All Christmas Eve day Schuyler wore her watch, kept asking when Santa was coming, and kept checking the Norad Santa tracker to see where he was. At the end of the night she said, "I want to go to bed!" We don't hear that enough, and had no objections!

Earlier in the day we had delivered some presents to friends, and when I was wrapping them, Morgan took it upon herself to find gifts to give to her friends. She found some gently used books and wrapped them for her friends Nevaeh and Abby, ALL BY HERSELF! She must have used 20 pieces of tape and not enough paper, but her generous heart and the true Christmas spirit was very warming to see!

The girls were of course in awe when they saw that Santa had come and we opened presents for about five hours; taking our time and enjoying everything! I don't think Graydon has ever been so excited to have a breakfast of chocolate and candy canes and must have thought there was a buffet throughout the day, because just when I thought I had all the candy hidden, he managed to find more. He was equally excited to use the new electronic tooth brushes that Santa brought, since he does have a fetish for tooth paste and tooth brushes. He was a handful all week getting into everything he shouldn't be in!

Both Morgan and Schuyler were full of wonder and appreciation for everything that they received, and we heard Morgan say many times, "Oh my heavens...." followed by how cool something was.

Santa brought the kids basketballs, and babies that make sounds, along with other small gifts! We got the kids a basketball hoop, and Morgan was really excited all day to play "baskethoop."

The Tinkerbell movie and sheets were a big hit, as well as the "carmonica" necklaces that they received, which are miniature harmonicas (Curtis can still manage to play Piano man on it). They love pajamas, and couldn't get enough! Schuyler really enjoyed a story book that I made using all their art pictures from 2008. Morgan and Graydon loved anything that made sound and enjoyed the few toys that they received (from us it was a Christmas of needs like clothes, underwear, shoes and socks). Sawyer came over Christmas afternoon with his new toy push peddle golf cart, which is the coolest thing you have ever seen, and we really had a fun time with Bryan, Kristall and Sawyer enjoying games, fun, and meals together all week!