So, not that consumerism is the whole purpose of Christmas (cough), but let’s see what Santa shoved down your chimney. I, of course, am living vicariously through my 7-year old. As is the tradition on Christmas Eve, he chose one package to open. He scored a R/C robot arm tank…
Tomorrow morning is going to be super fun. 
My kids are now serious looking world-weary teenagers, so not so much present excitement anymore. It’s good to have less of the 4 AM white-faced wakeups on Xmas morning, plus that huge amount of wrapping paper used, but really we still miss it.
We’ll basically all play games together (Catan etc), watch movies (LOTR extended marathon) and eat far too much. Different times but still nice.
As for me, toys included…
My wife got me a few very cool models for my Warhammer undead army.
Fun stuff…! “Dad is in VR again…guess the snow isn’t getting shoveled again today…”
Earlier tonight, I spent a couple hours in the locked bedroom setting up the kid’s new Nintendo Switches. I booted them up, got them updated, and bought them three games each (Steamworld Dig 2, Oceanhorn, and Part Golf) and downloaded them…so they will be ready to go when they open them. As well, I got them the cartridge versions of FIFA18, some Mario game, and another one. That should last them til’ dinner…
They (Kai is 7 and his cousin who we raise is 9) are on the fence about Santa. I think they are about 75% believing in him still, and 25% skeptical because of older friends that might have put some doubt in their heads. They still believe in the Elf in the Shelf and stuff…so I’m really enjoying this Christmas. Might be the last one before the illusion comes crashing down. (Should I spoiler alert that last paragraph? LOL)
My Christmas prep has been, dress the tree (at last its been up 3 weeks) strip my PC down, clean the waterblock and drain the system. Wrap wifes pressies (did not take long but as I get older sellotape becomes more malevolent) Oh and be savaged by the puppy, my hands and arms are mere ribbons of flesh 
Sounds festive. 
I’ve got running shoes! (Well, I still have to pick em out).
And got my parents airline tickets to Rome!
My biggest Christmas present this year is that I am actually going to spend it at home! Of course, the previous three Christmasses in a row were spent in NZ so I really can’t complain.
My wife gave me the green light to get in line for a Tesla Model 3 just a month or so ago, so that is really my big Christmas present, even though I will be lucky to have it by next Christmas.
Oh, and a 1TB SSD is on the way too!..
I just bought myself a Christmas present - planning for the eventual expansion of MAC…
Bonners Ferry (65S) is pretty attractive from a professional interest standpoint…I mean check out this approach:
Kern Valley (L05) is a bit out of my AO (I generally don’t like to head toward So Cal because that scenery kills my FPS, but the mountain terrain draws me in.
Sequim Valley (W28) IS in my AO, so it looks like a cool place to delivery some shrimp to…or cleaning supplies…or whatever…
Look for some of these destinations in a future edition of MAC: Can He Stop Before He Ends Up Off The Runway…?
LOL…that is fantastic…!
I need a bigger stocking.
Me and my daughter got one each…
http://www.hpiracing.com/en/kit/116710
They’re really small, indoor F1 cartoonish racers. Made by HPI, that really know how to make RC cars, so it’s not the usual toy-crap. 2.4GHz proportional controls.
My best present was a Sphero R2D2 droid!
A friend of mine got busted by his oldest son, who realized Santa was daddy…
Afterwards they had a talk and my friend actually managed to save Santa by convincing his son that sometimes, when Santa was running late, or got stuck somewhere because of weather, he pays some dads to cover for him…
Ha…that’s a cool video they have on that HPI site…
That’s a fine looking mug. 
My wife and I were wondering why we didn’t plan ahead for some Bloody Mary concoction or something. After spending an hour setting up two Switches, I need something. 
Darn FIFA18 requires signing enough stuff and agreeing to check boxes that you’d think you are buying a house.
Slightly off topic in that I’m not posting about loot but Merry Christmas to all while I’m on a brief break from work!
Merry Christmas to you too (and everyone else in the Mudspike family) !
