Each year gets more and more exciting as the kids get older and I found myself downright antsy to get the Christmas decor up! I hosted Book Group the first of the month so there was my excuse to start the weekend after Thanksgiving. It takes a year for me, but I'm always ready to have the soft glowing lights throughout the house, cinnamon candles burning, and Christmas music softly playing in the background all month long!
We started with the Advent Calendars on the first, each wearing a Santa Hat to kick off the season. I could eat little Zeke up in this picture! He loves being involved in anything with the big kids!
I found myself checking off my "fun winter things to do" list. Build snow man, sled, make gingerbread house, destroy until it must be thrown away gingerbread house, read Christmas books, sing Christmas songs etc. etc.
I thoroughly enjoyed Eli's Christmas program. He had been singing the songs around the house~ one in particular and it was
so adorable to see him with his elf hat belting away up on stage!
Adorable! He was so excited to see us and kept waving. I was so anxious for that Christmas break! I was practically whooping and hollering that last day picking up Adren. I had gone to help in his class that day, it was a sort of Christmas party and movie. There was still a couple of hours left, but I told his teacher I'd just take him home then. We went straight to K-Mart and got winter boots and a sled. Christmas Vacation had begun! It had snowed so much the neighbors somehow scooped up all their snow off their lawn and sidewalks and made an enormous sledding mountain with steps and everything. I was ready in every way for Christmas, so it was fun being home with the kids, delivering neighbor goodies and watching Christmas movies~ and the
anticipation!!! Grandpa Geertsen's birthday falls on the 19th so I made him a Birthday cake and we had a great dinner over at the Porter's. Always a good time chatting with everyone and getting the cousins together.
Remember:
I'm not the one who is 65. I'm just holding the cake.
I've never been able to put out presents before Christmas Eve and this year tried again, but Zeke started ripping into everything before I caught a quick photo and tucked them away again.
I made PJ's for everyone- including pants for Jon and I to open Christmas Eve, along with the gifts from Granny and Grandpa and Great Granny.
Finally Christmas Eve arrived! They had completely lost track of tracking at this point, but knew very well when the day arrived. Eli kept saying, "I can't believe it's finally here!" Paisley had asked every day the whole month, "Santa come tonight?" and was beside herself when I answered
"Yes". I need to have a plan Christmas Eve, it seems the day is so long, waiting for the evening and Whitmore's to arrive. It was finally time to start dinner preparations~ Spiral cut glazed Ham, cheesy potatoes, rolls with herbed butter, Eliza brought sweet potatoes and a delicious salad. We each made a batch of sugar cookies and icing for dessert. Our family has a tradition of driving out to Spanish Fork at 6 to see the Festival of Lights. The kids love it so much we drive around a second time! It's fun to all be bundled up front together while Zeke points and jabbers. I love driving around on Christmas Eve and seeing homes lit up full of cars out front and catching glimpses of festivities through the windows.
When we arrived at home the Whitmore's had indeed arrived and the squealing commenced! Paul, Sharon and Gertrude also came over and it was such a great evening. The dinner was delish, the company and conversation jolly and fun, and the house was full of love and excitement! After dinner we iced cookies for Santa and then read some Luke 2 and watched it. It was real nice. After everyone left we moved to the front room and opened all the gifts under the tree, put on our new PJ's and put out the cookies and milk. The kids were out in no time!
That morning sure came early! Oh, the excitement! That little living room was
packed.
Everyone couldn't have been more satisfied with their loot. Including Jon and his snazzy new jacket. Just look at that smile.
Christmas break continued on to be the coziest snuggle time as we just kept those curtains drawn and the kids played and played happy as can be. I think I only ventured out to go to Church and a possible gallon of milk. I love the excuse to stay in my Christmas PJ's all day. It really was the best Christmas I've had in my adult life! It sure is fun being on this end of the Christmas magic. I love being a mom and wife and spending that special time with my sweet family. Merry Christmas!
