Christmas is over.

It builds up for what seems like a long time, and then it's over just like that. All the weeks (or months) of planning, shopping, baking, wrapping, decorating, and it's done in such a short time. It's always sort of a letdown after all the gifts are opened. Or maybe it's just me. ;p

We got up around 6:30 this morning. Darrell heard one of the kids up, and our living room is open to the bedrooms, so we didn't want them up before us. I got up and Hunter came running in talking about a kitchen in the living room (he mistook Kenzie's dollhouse for a toy kitchen). LOL It was funny. We all used the bathroom (haha), and I let the kids look at their Santa gifts for a few then I made Kenzie take the dog out, and we waited for her to get back in. Then everyone dove in and opened all the gifts. The kids got a ton of stuff, and I am happy to say they are all very happy with all of their gifts. There is nothing that they don't really like or haven't played with. Well, the books have kind of been ignored today, but they'll get to them I'm sure. :)

As for me, I got some nice stuff. Darrell got me a snowman for my collection, a space-saver can opener and some White Diamonds perfume. I've been wanting some of that for a long time, but never would spend that much on good perfume for myself. LOL From my swap partners, I got perfume from my mom and a chenille throw from my SIL Karen. It's so soft and warm. I've been covering up with it on the couch all evening. My MIL got me some kitchen towels/mitts/potholders, and FIL gave us $100. My mom (additionally) got me a snowman for my collection and also $100.

We usually do our dinner at around lunch time, or between 11 and 1. This year I decided to do it later and we didn't eat until around 4:30. The upside to this is that I didn't have to start cooking immediately after present opening. I started at 10 this morning with the cornbread, and put the turkey in at 11. I cooked a turkey and ham, so it was about 4 hours of cooktime altogther, then cooking the dressing and rolls. The other upside is that since we basically ate supper, we snacked for lunch and then I just cleaned the kitchen up once after we finished eating. Usually I'll clean up, store leftovers, etc., and then when we warm food up for supper, I have more to clean. The downside of this method is that I was cooking practically all day. When we eat earlier, I get started earlier and all cooking is done early on and then the rest of the day is mine to lounge or whatever. I don't know how I'll do it for next year. I'll worry about that when the time comes, I suppose.

I am kind of glad it's all over, but boy am I dreading putting away all my decorations!
Merry Christmas!