December Recap

I'm going to get this blog updated if it kills me!  Let's go in our time machine back to December.  Our lives will forever be insane between Thanksgiving and Christmas due to two major holidays and both kids birthdays falling within 5 weeks.  On top of that I also hosted our December "girls night" at our house in early December.  I learned that James' birthday parties need to be celebrated before the calendar flips to December, and I won't be hosting any additional get-togethers going forward to maintain some sanity!  I did successfully keep Christmas under control this year using the "Want/Need/Wear/Read" gift categories plus one from Santa.  Santa did have a momentary lapse in judgement by waiting in line at Target (with hundreds of other crazy people) on Thanksgiving night to make sure he had the gift James really wanted under the tree Christmas morning.  Luckily Santa was in a perfect spot in line to score one of the last THREE Nintendo 3DS.  Santa thinks that even if Amazon costs a little bit more that it is well worth his time and money.  Santa also had to run out on an emergency shopping trip a couple days before Christmas due to a custom ordered doll (placed in OCTOBER) still not showing up.  That very special doll showed up around March, and is being kept in a safe location for this year.

We missed the Santa visit the village hosts this year (pretty sure it conflicted with nap time), but luckily our friends have a direct line to Santa and he showed up at our neighborhood happy hour!

 Obligatory crying child picture on Santa's lap

 But she's happy with her gift!

 

 

Contrary to what my pictures show, Honey and Papa joined us for Christmas this year!  We must have been having way too much fun that day, because I hardly have any photos : (

The day after Christmas more guests started arriving, in anticipation of Claire's first birthday!  We were happy to have Aunt Kelly, Uncle Scott, Tessa and Asher stay with us the rest of the week.  We kicked Honey and Papa out to a hotel, and took advantage of the indoor swimming pool.

 Tessa slept in James' room

We captured a pic of all of us the last night we were all together.  Pretty impressive considering we used a timer! 

The week after Christmas was very hectic.  We had my entire family, plus Chris' parents and sister Laura and her family in town (although they also stayed at the hotel).  I spent most of the time cooking and cleaning, cooking and cleaning, and doing that some more.  It is hard work hosting 11 people over multiple days!  But it was all worth it to have them here to celebrate with us.  For most of the year it is just us here in Chicago.  Our kids see their grandparents a few times a year, and cousins even less than that.  Family gatherings are few and far between for us, as it just isn't possible to spend every holiday together.  So the times when we do have them here, I want it to be perfect...or close to it.  And I make myself insane because it just isn't possible :)  So I hope everyone enjoyed themselves.  I won't commit to doing this every year, but everyone is always welcome to visit!    

Separate post coming for Claire's birthday - I may have taken a couple pictures.

Scenes from Christmas

Neighborhood Christmas party 

(James obviously had the holidays confused, he's ready for Valentine's Day)

Making Christmas cookies

James placed cookies for Santa and a carrot for the reindeer (guess they had to fight over it) by the fireplace.  He was thrilled with his sleigh bell (a la Polar Express) he found in his stocking.  Once he opened his Pirates of the Caribbean ship all bets were off.  I had to put it together right away (note to self, just open the darn presents and put it together the night before) and it took another 3 hours to get through all the gifts, with a break for breakfast as well.  He would have much rather just played with Captain Jack than us force him to open up all his other gifts. 

We kept things a little simpler when it came to gifts from us.  Something he wants, something he needs, something to wear, something to read.  Then Santa also brought him a super hero tent and sleeping bag.  That sleeping bag sure came in handy when it was time for him to spend the night when Claire came along!  James (and us) were spoiled by the grandparents with a ton of other gifts as well.  My favorite?  A new camera!  Chris thought I might be able to put it to good use with a new baby on the way.  He knows me too well.  Chris also took James out shopping to get something for me.  He was so excited for me to open the gifts he picked out all by himself, a set of Pottery Barn reindeer mugs and hot chocolate from Williams Sonoma.  The kid obviously has great taste. 

My goal for Christmas this year was to keep things simple, and to not be in the hospital on Christmas morning.  We were successful with both goals.  It was also the first Christmas I can remember here that there wasn't snow on the ground (we took James to the playground in the afternoon)!      

Merry Christmas

"Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."  Luke 2:10-11

O Night Divine

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you.

A white Christmas

Gifts under the tree

Learning to ride

Indestructible wrapping paper

Super James

We are reminded today of the many blessings bestowed onto us, both in the form of the many gifts from each other and our families and friends, and in the form of our Savior whose birthday we celebrate. 

Merry Christmas!

Success

No tears = SUCCESS! 

Getting two three-year-olds to look at the camera with a normal smile?  Notsomuch.