Ho Ho Ho… Merry Christmas

 

This Christmas far exceeded any in the past.  The girls are really beginning to understand Christmas, religious aspects aside.  Not sure if/how we will approach that as we are not religious people ourselves.  I do however want them to understand why we celebrate Christmas.  We’ll see. 

Unfortunately Shawn was really sick over the break.  Finally I convinced him to go to the doctor after he was coughing blood.  Turns out he has bronchitis.  :/

Anyway, normally I am pretty good at planning our Holiday Traditions this year I cannot say the same.  I slacked big time.  Oh well. 

Santa

We went to see Santa the day before Christmas Eve.  We waited in line for little over one hour and then the dreadful news came that Santa was going to take a 45 min break.  There was one person in front of us. So there we sat for another 45 minutes!  UGH.  The girls did really really good though so that made the experience so much better.  Once Santa finally came back.  The girls were so excited.  Until it came to sit on his lap.  They were a little scared to say the least.  Ava’s face cracks me up!  Santa had to hold her hand down to prevent her from placing in front of her face.  They offered us to take new pictures, but in my opinion that defeats the purpose.  Perfect pictures are so over rated.  I prefer “real” pictures.  They build memories. 

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve morning started with gingerbread houses and baking cookies for Santa. 

Ava was really into decorating the house until she realized how good the frosting taste.  Then she was busy eating instead of decorating. 

(We did some major cleaning up today, as we both had to work the day following Christmas, it was time to toss the house.  Ava yells.. “No, don’t throw our cookie monster house away!”)

Annual Christmas Eve Party

Shawn’s parents every year host an amazing party.  It’s a day of the year Shawn and I always look forward to.  It’s so great to see everyone we normally don’t see.  This years theme was pajamas.  At first I felt it was a little un-original and well boring.  I ended up really liking it.  I was super comfortable and didn’t have to think about what to wear and whether my “Holiday” muffin top would  could be disguised. 

Santa got the girls’ tea set.

Minute To Win It

 

Christmas Day

The night before I put together a breakfast casserole for us to just pop in the oven in the morning.  it worked out good.  Think next year I will use a crock pot that way its already cooked.  I think Shawn and I were more excited for the girls to see what Santa left them more than they were.  One of the perks for having kids it to relive your childhood memories and to be a kid again. 

 

After we opened gifts together as a family we headed to my Mom’s  house and spent some time with family.  I had such a great time watching my little nephew Brock.  He is so funny and cute and completely all over the place.  He is such a busy boy. 

playing with the cat under the table

Brock was done with pictures at this point.  Not quite sure what Abbey was doing.  She was so precious I didn’t hear her cry the entire time we were there.

After visiting with my side of the family we headed to Dylan and Stacy’s for Christmas dinner.  This was the first year we made it to dinner.  I like this tradition.  We had a great time. 

Our (all their kids and grandkids) gift to Shawn’s parents.  AWESOME!

     

Girls first made ornaments

     

Christmas projects from school.  Adisyn’s is on the left, Ava’s on the right.

     

The girls wanted to look like Santa during bath time.

Adisyn loved her puzzle so much she wanted to sleep right next to it.  When they woke up in the morning they immediately looked for their puzzle and had to take it with them to Gigi’s house. 

Saying their goodbyes to Elfy.  Until next year!

(the still keep asking where Elfy is)

This Christmas was AMAZING!  Best yet!  In years past we wanted to relax more and not so much running here and there, seeing this person and this person.  We have come to realize the craziness during the holidays and most importantly spending time with family and loved ones is what it is all about.  We loved it!  As I laid my head down for bed Christmas night, it felt good to know we spent the day with the most important people in the world!