Christmas was quiet and calm this year. It was kind of nice that way. Except that we really did miss our families. When you grow up with Christmas being anything but calm and quiet, it is a little strange when things change.
We tried to continue some of both of mine and Del's family traditions, plus add to our own traditions.
Sorry for the mix of ipone and camera shots in this post.
We went to see Santa. At our bank! When I saw on their website while checking our bank accounts that the big guy would be in the lobby the Saturday before Christmas, I thought, Santa, small line, NO mall, short drive... we are there!
And I am so glad we were there! We walked in and we were immediately greeted by Santa himself. With no one else there. It was like he was waiting for us to show up! The kids all had a turn telling Santa what they wanted.
Wally humored us. And I guess I did not get a picture of him with Santa. He told Santa he wanted Bayblades and gave a lengthy description of exactly they are.
Then Santa's elf handed out bells and we all had a little sing along with him.
In and out of our private meeting in fifteen minutes. Could not have gone smoother! I hope the bank does it again next year.
I am not a fan of mall Santa.
Will is pretty much always a good sport. Legos where his main request.
He is becoming Mr. Popular.
He asked me last week if I knew what a compliment is. I told him yes.
He said "Well, the girls at school say,"I like your shoes, your shirt, your hair, your smile, I like everything about you!"
Then he laughed in shook his head in embarrassment and told me, "Those are all a lot of compliments!"
Georgia wanted a toy horse. Her mind went blank when she got up there. Being on the spot was just to much pressure. A little whispered prompting jogged her memory. She laughed afterwards when Del told her he was afraid she would say a football when her mind went blank. We had just watched "A Christmas Story" that week. Ha!
"You'll shoot your eye out!"
By the way, my kids were very unimpressed with Ralphie's behavior in that movie. Leaving your brother on the ground to act like a slug, and your best friend's tongue stuck to a pole, and then lying about it... and saying curse words!
Unbelievable to them!
But they did their share of laughing as they described the show to Grandma and Grandpa on Skype.
Walker looks a little bit like he is doing this whole Santa thing out of a sense of duty to make Mom and Dad happy. But he did tell Santa he wanted "Watts and watts of caws." (Lots and lots of cars.)
Here is a picture with Wally in it. What handsome boys I have! Love these brothers!
We decided that a new Christmas Eve tradition should be that we go out to eat. So we did. A little pasta before we dreamed of sugar plums.
The guys.
When we got home we read the Nativity program Del's dad wrote, and his family has done for ages.
It was a little wild. Running around, thumping on the piano as I played the hymns, the works.
Del and I were just a bit relieved when the chaos was over. I am sure one of these years it will be a different story.
Not the Bible story... just the behavior -of -our -children -story.
Walker is dressed up as Joseph. Del's mom sent us cute Nativity costumes.
I am grateful every year when we reach this point. Gifts wrapped and under the tree.
I will forever appreciate being able to provide Christmas for our kids. What a blessing to be able to give them the joy and memories of these gifts.
I pray that the blessing this is, is never lost on me. I made a conscious effort to do things a little simpler this year. I have felt that this has been a year of blessings and guidance from our Heavenly Father that we prayed for, and needed. And it put things into perspective for me. That in itself was a gift. We also know so many who are praying in the midst of their own trials right now. It all seemed like too much to do anything over the top.
I am also so grateful for what these gifts represent. The greatest gift of all. The birth of Jesus Christ. His example of a perfect life, and his death that brought the possibility of eternal life with our Heavenly Father to us all.
We forgot to set cookies out for Santa! After we talked about it in the morning and our kids expressed their concern over Santa getting sick of cookies, we decided we might leave a steak and some potatoes out for him next year. Just to give him some cookie relief.
The kids after the gifts are all unwrapped.
Georgia was in absolute heaven over the stuffed wild life. Our home now looks like a zoo. But nothing makes this little red head more excited than stuffed animals!
When she came down the stairs and saw them, she grabbed one and rolled around on the floor with it right away. It is not like our girl to emote so much. So we got quit the kick out of that!
It turns out they also make nice lounge chairs!
The kids stayed in their PJ's from Del's parents while we ate breakfast.
My Mom has done a really yummy traditional breakfast on Christmas morning for years and years. She emailed me the recipes for her bread and the omelet brundt she makes, and as unsure as I was that I would pull them off, they actually worked out!
It was really yummy! Nice and cozy, and relaxing.
We played Christmas bingo. (Another new tradition.) Georgia and I dug into our new art kits and paints, and made some Christmas Day creations.
My friend Maria, who is always so sweet and thoughtful with my kids came by with a surprise for us!
A candy cake in the shape of a church! She made it for the kids in the midst of prepping for her own Christmas dinner. She is amazing!
While the kids have been out of school they have done a TON of playing outside in the snow! They are constantly getting bundled up and heading out. The best part is that aside from Walker, they can all get their snow gear on by themselves!
Georgia came home from school on the day before the break with a Rudolph nose! Cute girl!
And that is what Christmas 2012 looked like at our house! Our first Christmas in our new home! This house has been a beautiful gift for us this year! One that I did not anticipate at all last Christmas. I am grateful!
