Eighth and Ninth Day of Christmas...

(also known as Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) there was a lot going on in the Hess household (I thought I better speed this up a bit or I will be writing about this Christmas until NEXT Christmas!). On Christmas Eve, Grace helped Aunt Mo with one of her two delicious desserts in preparation for our Christmas meal. This was the pumpkin cheesecake with nutella ganache. YUMMO! She also made a pecan pie, also very delicious.

After the morning cooking with Mo, Hannah and Grace joined Poppi and Jon on a bike ride out to Stone Mountain... I believe a 12 mile bike ride out (and then you have to come back of course). Hannah was being a little nervous about riding in the WeeHoo, so they convinced Grace to start out there (with Hannah being pulled in the trailer behind Poppi)... well, she got about 2 miles and wanted out of that and into the trailer. Poppi pulled over 70lbs behind him while Jon glided to Stone Mountain. Once there, the girls wanted to walk up the mountain. Jon convinced them that just walking on the rock was good enough. They seemed satisfied, but now what to do about getting the girls home? Poppi wasn't too anxious to pull both girls in the trailer again. He asked Hannah, "Do you think you could ride in the Weehoo for 2 miles?" Her reply, "How about for 1/2 a mile." Oh, my little negotiator. At least this got her on the bike and out the trailer, and once there Jon got her talking and talking and talking. Somehow she made it all the way home riding in the Weehoo. Gracie made it home, but she arrived looking like this...

Sound asleep in the bike trailer... where she stayed for over an hour. (She was a wreck when she woke up!)

Mom and I got the chance to visit Emina and Edina, my mom's adopted granddaughters who were turning 11 years old. I was disappointed that I forgot my camera for the visit. They did a great job playing with Elizabeth.

Christmas Day... it is so fun watching kids on Christmas morning.

Sweet Elsa and her new doll from mommy and daddy.

What's inside? A HELMET... this was her request from Poppi. He was happy to oblige.

Elizabeth and Hannah opening the gifts from their stockings.

Gracie pacifying her new doll... Nana had them specially made for her and Hannah.

After church, we were able to get some family pictures. Thanks, Jon and Mo, I have taken these from you!

This was probably the last picture we took... do you think the kids are done with pictures?

That evening we enjoyed Christmas dinner with Bill, Susan and Ben, longtime friends of our family. Unfortunately, I once again forgot to get my camera out. It was great catching up with them.

Merry Christmas!