Christmas is usually a busy/fun filled time of year, and this year proved to me no different!
It is so much fun with little ones around. I love watching the glow and excitement in their eyes during this magical time of year.
The festivities kicked off on the 23rd for us. My dad and sister came over, and we celebrated an early Christmas with them complete with pizza and presents!
My dad had arrived about an hour before my sister and Bruce could hardly contain himself wanting to open the presents. (we told him he had to wait until "tante Alyssa" got there to start opening). So the minute he heard her come in, he ripped into that first present.
Linda got a set of headphones for her leappad, a stuffed horse and a set of wedding princesses and a crown.
Bruce got a super awesome bulldozer that goes forward and backwards and makes all kinds of sounds. As well as a Jake and the Neverland Pirates ship.
Evan got a toy farm and some bath toys (although he much preferred the bulldozer that Bruce got! He was all over that thing, squealing with delight).
James and I got some sweaters and different treats as well as some money that we've put to good use!
That would have been plenty of fun, I wouldn't have complained if it ended with that, but there was more fun to be had!
Christmas Eve was spent at Special and Grampa Bruce's for our annual Chinese feast! It was awesome as usual! We than read/re-enacted the Christmas story and than visited a bit before heading home to quickly get to bed so that Santa could come!
Christmas morning was fun but quick! Evan was the first one up. Than Linda, who woke up Bruce even though he was sound asleep. We than all headed downstairs to see what Santa had brought us!
The first thing we saw was a BRAND NEW TV, James and I and the kids must have been extra good to have Santa bring us that! (side note; I had to help James carry our old super huge tube tv out from the living room to the garage to make room for the tv that we were hoping Santa would bring us. Well, that tv was SO HEAVY, and I had to tell James to stop to rest 3 times on the short walk from our living room to the garage. Anyway, I put that tv down on my leg, and now have a HUGE bruise, that 2 weeks later, is still on my leg, ouch!)
The kids opened their stockings with all kinds of cool things inside.
They than opened the boring clothes that mommy always gets them, than their books.
Finally it was time for Santa's big gift!
Linda got a big Lalaloopsy doll who's hair you can style.
Bruce got a Mike The Knight castle, which includes the character and says various phrases from the show.
Evan got a race car that he absolutely loves! It races forwards and backwards and plays music.
We let the kids play with their gifts for a bit, than we all got dressed and headed over to Special and Grampa Bruce's for Christmas breakfast. Mmm, bacon, eggs, croissants and fresh squeezed orange juice (I love food!). It was SO GOOD. We than headed upstairs to open presents.
The kids had gotten a big gift the Friday before. They got super cute Christmas outfits, complete with shoes and a little toy.
On Christmas morning they than each got a sleigh that they put to good use the next day!
The adults were not going to get their gifts so easy though. Special had a game planned where we had to keep trading gifts until everyone was left with the gift that was intended for them. James was not impressed! :) I thought it was fun though!
James got a sweater and some money (that he still hasn't spent) and I got a bunch of cute clothes! Thanks Special, you have great taste, I love it all!
We than prepared for the big Christmas lunch. I think there was a total of 26 ppl there. It was super yummy and tons of fun! Thanks Special for all the hard work you put into it, it as awesome!
It was than time to head over to my moms for Christmas with her. We opened gifts and than had yet another Christmas dinner (unfortunately I only had a very little bit because I was so full from lunch!)
Linda got a case for her leappad, an art kit and some Hello Kitty pjs.
Bruce got a tool kit and some cars.
Evan got some blocks and pjs.
The kids also got a big play tent with a tunnel to share.
(unfortunately, I forgot to take ANY pictures at my moms, oops!)
Of course, I had to sneak back to Specials before heading home to put the kids to bed to enjoy some yummy fruit!
Boxing day was our dinner with Granny Hayes at the church that uncle Jim and Aunt Tina put on. It was a lot of fun visiting with everyone and enjoying some lasagna. (before the dinner, the kids, James and Catherine along with Jeff and Becca I believe, went sliding and had a ton of fun!)
It was a fun filled week and we were ready to just relax.
Unfortunately, Evan got quite sick on boxing day, and spent most of the rest of the time James was off just snuggling and sleeping most of the day.
Luckily, James was able to take some time off, and did not work from Christmas day all the way until January 2nd. (Not so luckily though, the weather was SO COLD, and the kids were not able to play outside with James like they wanted to).
The party continued on New Years Eve. We had a low key balloon party and ordered some pizza and watched a movie.
The kids absolutely LOVED the balloon tree. The balloons were filled with dollar store goodies and money (3$ each that they spent at the dollar store).
One more big feast was in order! Special made a yummy ham dinner complete with yule log for dessert, it was fantastic as usual!
Now I am tired, and on a diet, ha!
What a party it all was, and it was only a precursor to the big party in less than 3 weeks now, can't wait to see everyone at Disney!
I forgot to mention that Jeff and Becca also brought gifts for the kids, wow did those kids ever get spoiled! Thanks Jeff and Becca!!!
