It was all a bit beyond Cj, who couldn't quite grasp why behaviors banned just a day before ... ripping wrapping paper off gifts under the tree, for example ... were suddenly encouraged, but Sam sure 'got it' all.

On the Eve, after our open house guests were all gone and we were cleaning up, Sam caught sight of something out of the corner of his eye. Mark apparently saw it too, and decided it was most likely Santa's shadow passing over the house. A series of very dramatic yawns issued out of Sam from that second on, with exclamations like, "We REALLY should get to bed now!" following.

The last words out of his mouth before he conked out were, "Don't forget to leave a door open."

In the morning, it was Cj first awake ... at 5:30. It took Sam less than 30 seconds to remember what day it was, and we were up and heading downstairs in record time with no lounging around or minutes passing in family hugs, his usual morning routine.

When asked later what his favorite gift had been he replied, "I love them ALL!"

He was pretty impressed with the rabbits, however. You can see one (of three) in the wading pool. Yes, it's a real live rabbit. Mark will be building a house for them soon down by the giant Aldabra tortoise pen where Sam's friend, Helmut, lives.

In the photos:

Christmas Eve ... open house with friends and family
Christmas Eve ... after Sam's asleep, so the pre-carnage look