The Maggards: Christmas Day

We had a great Christmas. It's starting to become so much for for/with Lincoln, and this year we had Bennett, too! It was also fun having Grammy and Papa here to celebrate with us. Bennett was quite cranky on Christmas Day (the beginning of his colicky phase) and so I don't have many pictures of him. I am pretty sad about that now, since it was his first Christmas and all. BUT, we do what we can, right?

Lincoln's big present from Santa was a new train table. Here's the story: We actually had two train tables before. One we had gotten at a yard sale in Prescott. It was fine, but was kind of a random mixture of pieces, and we never were really able to get a good track going on it. That is the one that Lincoln got for his 2nd birthday. Then, we had some friends that were getting rid of one and they asked us if we wanted it. It was the kind that was all once piece, made of plastic, and the tracks were set down in the table, with a piece of wood to go on top that closed it up and made a table (sorry if that's confusing). Anyway, we could tell that Lincoln wasn't thrilled with either one after a while and he would always talk about the train table at Grammy and Papa's house. One day, while we were at Toys R Us in Roanoke, Lincoln saw a train table display that he really liked. It was on sale through early December for a really great deal, especially for what it included! It included everything, even trains. Plus, it made sounds (this could be bad, but it's not) and it had several features (like a magnetic crane) that we knew Lincoln would love. So, we decided to sell both of the other train tables to be able to get this one for Lincoln. We explained that Lincoln's train tables were going away. We told him that there were some other kids that needed toys, and that we were going to share with them. We also told him that maybe Santa would bring him a new one. He was pretty sad, but was a good sport.
After using the money we made from selling the two train tables, we only had to spend $10 to get the new one! Trust me, it's much better than the other two combined. Lincoln loves it.

Anyway, back to Christmas.
You can see the hall closet door open, blocking the entrance into the living room. Lincoln is behind the door waiting for us to say that he can come out.

When it was time, he slammed the door shut and ran out. He saw the train table and was so excited, however, he knew he was being watched by all of us and got a little embarrassed. His reaction was hilarious. He had to process everything (that the table was there), and then he jumped in the air, tried not to show too much excitement, made a goofy smile, then got really excited, etc. It was so funny. And adorable.

He played with that thing all day. He took breaks to open other gifts, but he would always go back to the trains. Success.

Starting to open other gifts. You can tell this is the first one because the room is still clean. Ha ha.

This kid got SPOILED.

Virginia Tech football from Daddy.

New Tinker Toys. Lincoln loves figuring out how things can fit/stick/clamp/squeeze/etc. together. We Santa thought this would be a good gift for him. It hasn't disappointed.

Back to the train table.

Opening a ginormous gift from Grammy and Papa.

A bean bag chair!

Here, he is pretending to be asleep and snore. Goofy kid.

We were watching the movie, "Christmas with the Kranks" one night, and in the movie there is a huge canned ham. Derick and I had never seen one like that, so we all started talking about it. Derick said he would like to try it. This statement confused all of us because Derick hates ham, and tries to avoid too many processed foods, especially meats. But for some reason, canned ham sounded good. Hmmm....I love ham and the thought of it even grosses me out. Whatever! Ha ha. Grammy found a small canned ham at Walmart and got it as a gag gift. Too funny.

Quilt for Bennett from my mom (his Grandma Carpenter).

Towel for Lincoln from Grandma.

Papa is his new pullover that we gave him.

From the look on Grammy's face you'd think she won a million dollars. Nope. Papa gave her salt and pepper shakers. :-)

A food processor for me. Hallelujah.

Brothers. :-)

Poor Bennett. Lincoln ALWAYS wants to be touching him.

A new helicopter from Uncle Greg and Aunt Karla. They couldn't have picked a better gift.

Helping Bennett open gifts. He got clothes and a brand new activity bouncer (like an exersaucer but it bounces) from Grammy and Papa. Lincoln gave Bennett a stuffed monkey/blanket toy thingy.