It's almost 10 days after our "Thompson" family party and I am still glowing from the from the warmth and love that emitted from that day. It is said that "Christmas is for children" and that was no more evident than this year. It was the children who impressed me the most and gave me such a happy time.
We were sorry that Michael couldn't accompany Yvonne, Tristan, Leah and cutie Morgan this year. We all took too many photos of Morgan who was just too cute.
Kim enjoyed holding her.
Heather enjoyed feeding her.
I enjoyed taking photos of her.
As I did with the other kids also.....
Patrick and Isabelle
Katie and Heather
Tristan
Lindsay with mom and Uncle Kim
We had a surprise visit from Santa Claus!
The kids were very excited about that!
Hmmmm....so were some of the adults.
Tristan was very excited.
Morgan got to sit on his lap.
Santa chatted with Lindsay.
And Katie...he remembered Katie's dress from last year!
Isabelle was somewhat quiet.
We took a photo for Mrs. Claus.
Tristan got a book all about Santa which Lindsay read to the kids.
After Santa left we moved on to gift giving.
The girls got matching shirts!
And soccer art! We've got the Yellow Cobras, Blue Baracuddas and New Canaan.
Patrick got a back massager (thanks for sharing this week, Pat!)
Some are pleased by the least little thing...copier paper.
Some gifts tugged at our emotions. It was our first Christmas without Cameron and it was difficult.
Some people wanted gifts that were beneficial to others, in this case the birds.
For Claudia it was Heifer International. She "gave" a flock of chicks, geese and ducks. Good move, Claudie.
The children were so impressive. they were genuinely interested in what everyone got and stood by as each individual unwrapped their gift.
Here the kids watch as Patrick opens what turns out to be a special gift.
His great great-grandfather's Colt 45.
Some gifts were toasty...a down jacket...
PJs from Chrissy
Tristan delivered a gift for Aunt Joan who drove down from the Cape to be with us.
He helped her unwrap it.
After dinner we moved on to dinner.
Each year people fight to sit at the kids' table. Can you blame them?
Some prefer not to use their spoons for eating.
Oh dear, look what we started!
Go, Katie!
Mom refuses to be upstaged by her kids!
Tristan wants to learn and so Lindsay teaches him.
He does it!
This deserves two photos! Tristan is so pleased!
Even Auntie Claudia gets into the act!
I think Morgan wants to try.
But it's time for dessert.
After dinner, it's time to settle the kids down with a movie. WE picked Annie.
Hmmmm.....all the kids, I guess.
Comfy on the sofa.
Very comfy.
Really, really comfy.
Even for grown-ups.
It was a fantastic day....one I am still reliving.