Christmas morning

Christmas morning I received a new camera from Jonathan.  Naturally I had to test it out.  All of the pictures from here on are from the new camera.  I have a lot to learn to take great shots on it, still I am very excited! 

Brian and Kirsti stayed with us for Christmas morning before heading over for the rest of their stay to Kirsti's parents.  With four young children Christmas morning starts pretty early.  The rule is "no waking Mom and Dad before 7 AM."  We heard the thump, thump, thump of eight little feet much earlier than that though!  They checked out their stockings and raided the chocolate found therein while we tried to doze.  

Finally we couldn't feign sleep any longer and joined the party.  

Here I am admiring the ornament Melissa made me for Christmas.

 Kirsti received some pretty dangly things. 

Brian was pretty happy to receive new computer parts.

 And Katamari!

 Melissa with some of her loot.

 She loved her new jewelry box.

 New rings to put in her box.

Grandma made a lot of ties for Matthew for Christmas.  He also received a cool remote control helicopter from her.  Happy Matthew.

Melissa and Isaac.  

Each of the children bought or made gifts for each other.  They were as excited to give their siblings their precious gifts as they were to receive new toys.  Melissa found a penguin for the penguin loving Pumpkin boy.  Matthew spent hours making woven duct tape wallets for each of his siblings.

After raiding the presents under the tree we had our traditional Christmas breakfast of German apple pancakes.  We discovered this little delicacy after moving to San Antonio.  There is a fairly large immigrant German population in Central Texas and the bakeries and breakfast Haus(es) are amazing.  Regrettably it was my first time making them in the new oven, so part of them got a bit over done.  They are too much work to get singed so I pretty disgruntled, but the kids were happy and didn't complain.  Here is the recipe I use:

INGREDIENTS:

4 eggs 1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1 tablespoon sugar 1 pinch salt 1 cup milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 cup unsalted butter 1/2 cup white sugar, divided 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 large tart apple - peeled, cored and sliced

DIRECTIONS:

1.	In a large bowl, blend eggs, flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Gradually mix in milk, stirring constantly. Add vanilla, melted butter and 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg. Let batter stand for 30 minutes or overnight.
2.	Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
3.	Melt butter in a 10 inch oven proof skillet, brushing butter up on the sides of the pan. In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup sugar, cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg. Sprinkle mixture over the butter. Line the pan with apple slices. Sprinkle remaining sugar over apples. Place pan over medium-high heat until the mixture bubbles, then gently pour the batter mixture over the apples.
4.	Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) and bake for 10 minutes. Slide pancake onto serving platter and cut into wedges.

Top with whipping cream, and they are divine.