Christmas in Bluewater 2017

 Christmas morning wouldn't be Christmas morning without balloons.  

A tradition my mom started for as long as I can remember
Christmas mornings as a little girl.  

I do it now ( I mean, Santa does it), and so does Lucy.

It's magical and colorful.  

 Mr. Nielson and I stayed up until 4:30 setting up, 

assembling, and wrapping.

 This year the girls got bikes, and the boys got 

motorcycles to match with Mr. Nielson.

The boys were totally and utterly surprised and excited!

Other Christmas presents from Santa included:

11-pack princess Barbies for Lottie, along with an adorable new doll house

Paint easel for Claire

Worm farm for Nicholas

Inferred binoculars for Oliver

Egg incubator for Jane (and her chickens)

Beautiful turquoise jewelry from local Navajo jewelers

 (for me, from Christian)

Motorcycle gear for Mr. Nielson (from me, but mostly him)

Mr. Nielson gave Claire, Jane, and myself each a large wrapped box.

Inside the boxes were several pairs of different
styles and cuts of Wrangler jeans.

When I say "several," I mean thirteen...inside my box, anyway.

 After we opened up gifts, I made buttermilk pancakes 

with whipped cream, berries, and warm maple syrup.  

Then Mr. Nielson took the boys out on the

 ranch for a ride on their motorcycles.

I stayed home with the girls and watched them ride their

 new bikes around the homestead.

Lottie was frustrated since she forgot how to ride a bike. 

 It didn't help that her new bike had hand brakes.

We'll get there.

Later that evening, we gathered together in the living room,

drank hot chocolate and talked about the beautiful day.

Then we all crashed.