Our Christmas

I really enjoyed this Christmas season.  It went fast, which is to be expected because every year is getting more and more that way.  But, still, it felt like a break and it retained the special feelings that you always hope will surround you during this time of the year.  Blog post coming almost a month after the fact should reflect my relaxed pace.  This break meant wonderful lazy mornings with the littles waking at 8 instead of 7, brunch almost every day instead of a regimented breakfast and lunch, just enough under-the-weatherness to keep us indoors, holiday break from school/work/dance/sports class/t-ball/swim/all three therapies so we could just hang around and enjoy the togetherness and, of course, the toys that Santa brought our household.

We took a break from baking cookies this year and delivering them to all our friends.  I wish I had a better excuse, but ‘Christmas fell on a weekend’ is my story and I’m sticking to it.  The house did get decorated as is customary, and we did keep to most of our other traditions this year.  My photos, unfortunately won’t reflect most of the magic, because it wasn’t the year for photos.  I forgot to bring my camera on our first sledding adventure or for my sister Leah’s goodbye dinner, for example, so we’ll just have to keep many of those memories tucked into the coziest folds of our minds for safe keeping. 

Christmas morning, the kids got up at around 8 (I know, we’re blessed) and, independent spirits that they are, took it upon themselves to begin unwrapping the presents under the tree in all their excitement.  Jake and I awoke the the unusual sound of ripping paper and hurried down to delay the glorious process for another five minutes while we fetched Ari out of bed and got our heads on straight.

 

Some of Gabe’s highlight gifts were a VTech Mobigo from Grammy & Papa, a glider bike from Nana & Papa, Star Wars Lego sets and a Lego table, star wars figurines, a Star Wars Lego character encyclopedia, a headlight from Aunt Leah, and Transformer walkie-talkies from Aunt Marci.

Ari’s gift highlights were an IPad, lots of board games, a Fijit Friend from Nana & Papa, Xia Xia hermit crabs and playset from Grammy & Papa, a Dora microphone from Aunt Marci, Tag Reader books, and a Laugh & Learn Picnic Basket from Aunt Leah.

Bella’s favorite gifts were a VTech Mobigo from Grammy & Papa, a glider bike from Nana & Papa, an art easel, Disney fairies and princesses play sets.

    

This Fijit Friend was returned by me when I mistakenly thought it was broken, but later realized it only needed a change of batteries!  Now, it’s sold out everywhere or is costing twice the price it was when I bought it ($40).  Ari loves the thing, so if you see it in a store or online, please let me know!

You may have noticed that my face or my pregnant tum didn’t make it into even one photo of any part of Christmas or the following two posts (including my anniversary!), and amending that has become a new years resolution of mine – Jake even got a camera tutorial from me tonight so that he can feel more confident behind the lens and then maybe there will be a record of my interactions with my kids as they grow. I may not miss seeing my Christmas morning dreary-eyed face sans make-up in photos, but my kids will, so I resolve to be less absent from the pics.

We went to Holbrook for our second round of Christmas celebrating.  There with us were Grammy and Papa (our gracious hosts), Ryan, Chantelle, Ali, Darren, Rob, his fiance Ligia, and cousins Brayden, Trevor, Kendrick, Vance, Madison, Margaret, and Katherine.  That made twenty (and often more) people in the house.  It didn’t feel crowded (busy, yes), but it was cozy and comforting to hear all those voices and know that everyone was there for one reason… to be together.  I wasn’t feeling well for most of the time we were there, which cramped my party-lovin’ style, but it still felt sweet watching my kids play with all their cousins and get loved all over everywhere they turned.

The kids did a Nativity pageant (at least I think that’s what it’s called).  Gabe wanted to be a king, Bella wanted to be the angel but preferred the headdress of a biblical man to the tinsel halo that went with her costume, and Ari wanted to wear the least costuming as possible (she was only the cow for a minute really).  It was cute, of course, and I will love showing them this picture when they’re teenagers :).

One of the very few moments I photographed over Christmas was the Christmas carols-turned-dance party we had on Christmas night.  It lasted probably over an hour.  We are a dancing family, if you didn’t know it by now.

     

It was merry.  I hope yours was too.