Christmas at Granny's

Norah smiles contentedly at the sight of her new necklace.

Aunt Sara admires her handiwork from the couch.

Norah checks things out.

Gramps remains highly popular with the grandkids as he continues the traditional position he's held since my early childhood: the person who remembers to carry a present opening pocket knife.

Norah engulfed in wrapping paper and bows.

Norah says "That's what I'm talkin' about!"

Justin's power tool arsenal grew dramatically. He's a happy boy.

Is that a drill or a pistol?

Norah and Granny open presents together.

Gramps and everyone's little buddy.

Justin adopts his customary position, back turned to our camera.

Norah helps open a package.

Everybody enjoying their time together.

Gramps holds his "favorite present", a chicken that clucks Christmas songs.
(FYI: Chickens are his least favorite animal by far)

Justin dons his new construction helmet.

You just can't wear your helmet and check it out at the same time.

After a nice dinner at a favorite local restaurant, we returned to Granny's house to open presents. Granny, Gramps and Aunt Sara were very generous, but showed merciful restraint overcoming the urge to get one of everything for the kids. Thankfully there were no live animals or cans of silly string given as gifts. Norah and Justin were very happy with their loot. We were happy too since Mom and Dad, knowing our situation so well, went the practical route and paid for our recent refrigerator replacement, freeing up our money and putting us another step closer to becoming debt free (my most urgent wish for every holiday and every other day for several years). Everyone had a really good time spending the evening together and watching the kid's excited faces as they opened presents.