Phew!

The gifts have been thoughtfully purchased, artfully wrapped, graciously given and hopefully well received. Christmas 2009 is over.

Best gift received by me: Nick & Nora snow globe pajamas.
Best gift received by Jack: there are still gifts to be opened at Grandma & Pop-Pop's but so far, any number of the GI Joe or MASK action figures.
Best gift received by Jeff: a griddle for ultimate pancake making.

Best gift given: to baby Paul; personalized duck towels for the Ray children's duck themed bathroom.

The best moment of Christmas 2009: how our little living room was the hot spot of fun and activity for two days. First on Christmas Eve with "the clan McManus" and then again the next day with almost all of Jeff's family in our tiny room exchanging gifts in a mad flurry of excitement and wrapping paper.

Second favorite moment of Christmas 2009: after the family had left and the children were asleep, trying to decide what to get into: either my new crossword games for my DS, watching season five of Lost on DVD or assembling either of the two cool puzzles I got. I opted for my new jammies, a box of Zoe's Chocolates, a glass of wine and passed out asleep within thirty minutes.