Happy Birthday Mitchell!

Mitchell requested that we start off the day with birthday pancakes, complete with a candle on top of his stack of 8-shaped pancakes.

After lunch he opened presents and we had cake as a family (he was given the option to have a party with his friends once school is back in session, or to have a friend over for his first sleepover--he chose the sleepover).  He was all smiles today, and it was fun to share it with him.


 

 

Matching Nerf guns from Jon and Linda

WHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

K8erific.  Awesomesauce.  Both words could be used to describe the major event of the day.  SLEDDING!!!  Or perhaps we should call it the Rogers' Luge Track.

Aunt Ruthie and Grammy came over to take part.  I am quite sure some snow speed records were broken, or at least some sort of record for farthest sled into the cornfield.  It was spectacular, especially once we took the turn 1 out of the track.  Lucy and Mitchell did a great job toting their own sleds back up the hill and walking up without complaint.  Owen, well.... he ate a lot of snow (much of it was voluntary).
 

Sisters trying to relive McGuire's sledding days.

Ken with a wipe out due to hot-dogging it.

When we came back in we thought it best to warm ourselves up with some physical activity of the Wii variety.  I must say that in the early going, each kiddo has their own specialty.  Note to all you out there, never sword-fight against Lucy.  She will own you.

Visions of Sugar Plums

5:15 was my vision upon seeing the clock when Lucy came into our room this morning.  All the kids could see was a mountain of presents under the tree.  Watching them open their presents was lots of fun--they were just the right amount of excited about what they had opened and eager for the next surprise.  They must have gotten a good report from our elf, Fred, because they made out very well.  There were Legos in abundance (Mitchell spent most of the day building and playing), a big green two-wheeler, and many things adorned with Tinkerbell or in shades of pink.  Owen also received his "Aunt Mary brand" quilt and it got a 4-paw rating from our dog-loving one.  Wii were also surprised with a Wii (Ken is SNEAKY),  so we all tried our hand at playing.  Lots of fun all around today.  The Rogers family is definitely very blessed.

Mitchell opening one of many sets of Legos.

Charlie early on in the excitement.

Lucy and one of her aforementioned items of pink.

Lucy "helping" Mitchell with his fire boat.

Lucy, just plain excited!

 

Charlie, worn out from the excitement.

Lucy with another one of her Tinkerbell treasures.

Woof!  New digs for his bed courtesy of Aunt Mary.

The big green 2-wheeler's maiden voyage.

 

Lucy, fashioning her new pink monkey hat.

Chillin' in the sled.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve at Mom's house, with guest Chef Aunt Ruthie.  It featured Dad's traditional whitefish and some great new selections (and I must say that the table settings and decor looked fabulous!). It was topped off by the smallest of treats for the kiddos.. you might say it was mouse-like.  :)
Besides the great food we had a great time seeing Aunt Ruthie again. There were some presents to open;  the kids opened their own and then staged a successful coup on any opening efforts by grown ups.  They handily took over that duty for us. As for their own,  the boys were thrilled with the Samurai outfits Ruthie brought for them, and Lucy was all about the flip-flops.  They also pulled in several books they were wanting, some games and movies (that we've already started to watch).
After dinner and desert we packed up and came home in time to sprinkle reindeer dust in the driveway, leave cookies and carrots (and milk too),  and get everyone settled into bed in Mitchell's room.  Several years ago I started having the boys sleep in each others' room on Christmas Eve-this was Lucy's first year in on the fun.  And while it did take a while to settle into sleep, all cherubs were fast asleep in plenty of time for Santa to make his stop.

Mousey treats from Maggie.

Mitchell's mousey treat.  Owen's treat is missing because he stuffed the whole thing in his mouth!