If you asked the kids, this Christmas took forever to get here! We started off the season with the Christmas Train! I couldn't believe they fit the entire family on the train- the guy mentioned it was a record-breaker, they'd never fit that many people on before. This was not encouraging and I worried we'd break it. But it chugged right along and we made it to the North Pole to visit Santa and all the way back. Phew! Afterwards the kids loved running wild at Granny and Grandpa's house, and eating eggnog cake from Abby's kitchen.
Mommy pulled out Advent calendars from Christmas' past and we enjoyed looking at all the years of counting down to the big day. She made one for our family and the kids loved taking turns coloring each day and seeing the Christmas box getting closer and closer!~
It was hard for me to wait until December to deck out the house and start the Christmas music. I love it all.
One thing that is unusual that happens only around Christmas time, is these large boxes appear on our porch. I tell the kids they are only full of Dad's work binders~ so boring! One box was big enough for Zeke to have a little house for his monkey- Christmas tree and all!
I got the kids Santa hats and a little treat to kick off the season. Zeke would jump out of the car if he forgot to wear his and run inside to grab it. He wore it everywhere! Once as we were walking down the sidewalk hand in hand to church he yelled, "My Santa hat!" and turned around to grab it. What do I care? He came back out with it on, and proudly wore it to Nursery. Adorable.
As the Christmas break loomed nearer I was frantically trying to finish up my list. Then the plague hit our house and we had to start the break early. It seems there was four straight days where everyone wanted to do nothing but lay on the couch.
This sounds crazy, but I really don't mind. Everyone is mellow, gets along, and just wants to watch movies. Didn't mind one bit. I was a little heartbroken Paisley missed out on her kindergarten Christmas program. I've loved watching the boys perform in this, and she's been singing me the songs she's been learning, and I was really looking forward to it. Oh, well.
Finally just days before Christmas everyone seemed to bounce back to their old selves. Just in time for some Gingerbread decorating and chores to get the house in order!
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| Zeke~ cleaning out the microwave. J/K! |
Then off to see the lights! Cade and Ashley joined us this year and were in their car behind us. I got a kick out of Violet. She was right up front on Ashley's lap with the window down and I could hear her squealing with delight at everything. The boys kept climbing out the back window of the truck onto the bed, then climb back in when they'd get too cold. By the time we returned home, everyone had arrived and dinner prep underway. It was a delicious meal Eliza and I insisted on contributing to: Christmas ham, two different kinds of potatoes and salads, rolls, veggies- the works! The cousins sure are excited to be together on this night!
Then on to icing cookies for Santa, then the Christmas program.
Eliza, Ashley and I were in the hall rounding up kids and giving out assignments, grabbing scarves and hats and and any little object we could find to go with the nativity. Then Ashley remembered she had little mustaches in her purse from the family white elephant, which really put the finishing touch on everyone! We read scripture and sang songs together, then watched Joy To The World! It was a great night and I loved seeing how excited all those little people were! Christmas is here!!!
Once everyone left, we had a little quiet time with the kids, they opened their Christmas jammies with matching heat rice bag in their initial.
We opened the gifts from Granny and Grandpa and set out the cookies and milk. The kids were beat! At 10 o'clock Jon said, "I'll bet we crawl in bed in four hours." I thought, No Way! Way sooner than that!
Four hours later on the button we crashed!
Christmas morning was just as magical as ones I remembered. The front room was packed! Those squeals and shouts are so fun to hear!
When Jon showed me this picture it brought tears to my eyes. I said, This is what makes it all worth it!
Gifts galore, scattered on the floor, there's no room for more!
It's been the best Christmas break yet! The house is full of happy sounds, everyone quiet in their little corner in concentration over their new gifts. I've gone four straight days never having to even leave the house- or get out of my jammies, for that matter.
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| Eli's little lego set was awesome! I wish I took a pic when it was finished. Very detailed, it took him three full days to assemble. |
Speaking of staying in jammies, Zeke has been loving his and puts his right back on after a bath. Even after church he changed right back into them. I don't blame him! All the prep and planning is worth it to me to be fully stocked of goodies to not have to worry about a thing. We sleep in, pick a box of cereal off the tree, and just stay cozy together all day. A little slice of heaven, I tell you. I know once school starts up again I'll be itching to get things back in order. But for now, I'm just going to enjoy it all. The Savior lives! Merry Christmas, 2012!!!