Christmas Day

This year, Christmas morning started off with a big surprise.  Earlier in December Doug had prepared a video audition for a piano prize competition.  This event is open to all California high school juniors and seniors, all community college and California State University students.  After submitting a 5 minute audition by DVD, 10 finalists are selected and will perform a live 20 minute program from which 3 winners are chosen.  We knew that the announcement of who had been selected would come on December 24th.  During the day I checked my email, but there was nothing there. During our Christmas Eve party, Doug checked and again there was nothing.  So we figured he hadn't made the cut.  I was glad we had the party going on so that he was distracted and couldn't spend time feeling bad about it.  On Christmas Day we were planning on visiting with Scott and as I was quite excited about this I checked my email the very first thing to make sure that the phone time hadn't changed.  I didn't want to miss talking with him.  And there was the email.  Doug was named as one of the 10 finalists - who knew that music professors spend late Christmas Eve sending out emails.  Anyway, I handed Matt the camera and told him to capture this moment.  I love the spontaneity, look at Doug's surprise.

Almost immediately he was a little overcome with emotion.  It made us all cry.

Isn't he cute?

But as everyone knows, the most important thing about Christmas morning is the presents.  So we didn't dwell for long on Doug's good news.  For me though, this made my Christmas, just to see his heart so touched.  He doesn't often express his feelings verbally so I love it when they come out in unexpected places.

Thomas on a treasure hunt

for a new bearded dragon cage.  Karin are you photo bombing?

My tomboy

and my little girl.

 

Doug on a treasure hunt for a new ping pong table.  Santa, Matt and Ben were very wise this year and left the assembly to the daytime and mostly to Doug.  No 4:00 am bedtime this year.

Any doubt about what Thomas loves?

Photo bomb again?

!!

 

I don't know if passionate even begins to describe how Thomas feels about soccer, Manchester United and Wayne Rooney, but it's the best word I can find.  He knows everything about Rooney including what cleats he wears.  Thomas found a website where you can design your own cleats and has been asking for them for months.  Matt had fun, designing them with the correct colors, Tom's initials and favorite jersey number.  And yes, these are the cleats that Rooney wears.  Thomas gets emotional while opening this present and one time looks up as if he is thanking God.  Imagine a Christmas morning where both of the your boys cry.  Life is good!!

For a girl who has a very sweet tooth.

Emily made very careful selections in her gift giving this year.  Dad got a handy tool kit.  Emily did all her own shopping.

Ben is looking so sharp in his new Ping jersey,

and even better in his new Huddler.

A darling apron and platter for a darling girl.

Merry Christmas 2012