Christmas Is All About Presents!

Present Ceremony #1:

Afternoon of December 23rd

Since we were leaving early on the 24th to visit the Cook side of the family for Christmas we decided to have our own Christmas before we left to avoid the need of packing all of our gifts. After the first gift (the ball at the right of the picture) David was always too distracted by whatever present he had previously opened and so never got the hang of actually unwrapping one of his presents.

Present Ceremony #2:

Evening of Christmas Eve

After barely catching our flight we headed to Sue Ann's family for Christmas celebrations. Because everyone has their own family with their own chimney for Santa to climb down most gifts were exchanged and opened on Christmas Eve. As you can see it began with many of the children gathered around the tree.

And then after a flash, a blur, and a faint rustle; after a few short moments of pandemonium; and after the dust had settled and the children parted, all that remained were empty boxes, crumpled wrapping paper, and a carpet that may never be the same.

Present ceremony #3:

Morning of Christmas Day

Sure enough, the man in red came to the Cook residence giving all of us yet another opportunity to open more presents.

Present Ceremony #4:

Evening of Christmas Day

December 25th just so happens to be David's cousin's birthday and he was kind enough to let David celebrate his birthday as well. Below is David's first birthday cake with one candle on it; following is Isaac with four candles.


As with any birthday celebration, none is complete without getting a few more presents.

Present Ceremony #5:

Afternoon of December 28th

On the 27th we flew up to Canada to visit the Salmon side of the family. It just so happens that there are also many Christmas time birthdays on the Salmon side as well so that meant another party, and more importantly, more presents!

David probably would have felt ripped off that he had to share his first birthday and birthday cake with others but since he did so twice, two halves make a whole, so no real harm was done. Here is David and Anya's cake with a candle for each of them.

Present Ceremony #6:

Evening of December 28th

After presents and cakes all the kids were eventually put to bed so that they could be well rested for family pictures the next day. Even though they were asleep the show had to go on so the adults celebrated Christmas and we all opened more presents. (Sorry since the kids weren't around I didn't feel the need to take any pictures)

Present Ceremony #7:

Afternoon of December 29th

After family photos all of the children's Christmas gifts were still under the tree so we had one final binge. By this time David was tuckered out from opening so many presents so we were glad that his cousin Enoch was able to help in opening the last of them as shown below.

And there you have it, a weeks worth of presents, presents, and more presents.

Isn't Christmas great!?!