Christmas 2013

Christmas 2013 was wonderful! Our recent breaks from school have been filled with much sadness and worry. (Spring break last year was Pat's dad's cardiac arrest, summer held funerals of two friends, MEA was the passing of my Grandma, and Thanksgiving was Pat's mom's back surgery.) I was really hoping this holiday would be different, and it sure was! Here's a snapshot into our family Christmas...

 

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Setting up the tree was the usual. Pat set up the tree, and the kids helped with ornaments. We ended the evening with watching the movie Elf together.

 

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We had some fun breakfasts like snowman pancakes, stuffed French toast, monkey break and cinnamon rolls.



 

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We took a trip with Grandma and Aunt Katelyn to see the Macy's elf exhibit and the Holidazzle. (Two hour wait to see the elves... Um we passed on that deal. Maybe next year!) It was the last night of the last year for the Holidazzle, so I knew I wanted to bring the kids. Henry could have rode the escalators in Macys the entire night and would have been the happiest kid on the planet. 

 

 

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All of Advent the kids enjoyed opening their Advent boxes. Not understanding the concept of one a day yet, Henry wanted to open them all day long. He called it a "game". Olivia's most prized gifts were doll clothing Mary made. Henry loved the chocolate coins. Sometimes they would get real dollar coins, and not knowing they were real money, Henry would ask us to open them.

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We baked a few batches of Christmas goodies over the month of December. Mostly they would get made and packaged to give away. These molasses cookies stayed with us though.

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As is our tradition, Christmas Eve was spent with the Clark family. Tom and Kari made a delicious meal of prime rib. The kids played together a ton, we opened gifts, and laughed, visited, and enjoyed each other's company. This year was especially special since both Mike and Mary had health issues this year that could have easily prevented them from spending Christmas with us. We are all so thankful their health has turned around!

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A snowy drive and sick/cranky boy made for a long drive home, but we made it safely and got the kids to bed. We set out cookies for Santa along with the notes Olivia instructed us to leave out for Santa, and prepped breakfast for the morning. Olivia woke up eager to peak in her stocking, but was directed we wait for Henry to wake up. She was right at his bedroom door when she heard him wake. They were thrilled to find what they had asked for; a Rapunzel doll for Olivia, and a 4 wheeler for Henry. Then the kids opened the gifts from us. We gifted Olivia a watercolor paint set and paper, and tickets to bring her to see the Cinderella play at the Children's Theater. Henry got a wooden tractor/trailer, and a digger for playing in the snow/sand.

Dear Mrs. Clause, I like you. Love Olivia

Then we went to mass as a family, and headed to my parents' house for Christmas Day. Again we were treated to an amazing meal made by them. Then we had some mellow time while Henry napped. It was gift opening time when he woke up. The elves delivered gifts to each person.

Again, my dad made each of the kids homemade gifts. The girls got doll furniture for the Barbie doll houses Papa made them last year. Henry got a fire truck that sprays water. All gifts were a hit!

Of all the gifts, this one topped them all. My parents went out of the room to say they had "One more gift..." (That happens often.) They came back with small gifts, one for each person, all different shapes. We unwrapped them and chuckled when we realized it was a puzzle we had to put together. We gathered around quickly and started to get quite giddy as we pieced it together. I wish we would have videotaped it. We noticed the words vacation, inclusive, and of course my brother spotted a bottle of beer. Needless to say, we are quite excited!

Christmas 2013 was filled with family, laughter, and memory making. So thankful for this amazing, thoughtful, and talented group to call my own.