Saturday, December 25, 2010

It's Christmas

When Paul and I left CA earlier this week a small part of me was sad. The rest of my family would be together for Christmas (minus T&J, still honeymooning).
But after another year, our third actually, of Christmas at home in MN...I gotta say, I love it.

Paul was off Christmas Eve. It snowed (even more). We spent the day delivering goodies to friends, sledding, shoveling, watching a movie and baking world peace (cookies, that is).
And in an attempt to find a meal that the kids would be happy about we ordered pizza (per Noah's request) and drank Martinelli's. Pretty sure it's a new tradition.
Before bed, also per tradition we sang Christmas carols and talked about the real story of Christmas.
And although Noah insisted he couldn't possibly sleep, the kids were asleep by 9. I set a new record by getting us to bed by 11pm on Christmas Eve. That would be because I'd stayed up till 1:30 am wrapping 2 nights earlier. It also helped to have Paul around - oh wait, no it didn't but it was fun anyways : )

This morning, Christmas morning, we were all up at 7am (after sending Noah back to his room to read books at 6:30am).
Our morning in pictures:



































































































Noah was happy and excited and played a great Santa. He spent much of the day mastering the levels of Super Mario Bros. on the Wii.
Alex, never one to hold back, gives the best reaction you've ever seen to anything and everything. She has been in Disney Princess heaven ever since.
Avery had no idea what was going on but loved wrapping paper, her little baby which she carried around on her shoulder (patting it's bum), her many musical toys which she danced to all morning and just being in the middle of everything. She's never played on her own for so long in her entire 14 months of life.
Paul and I loved watching it all unfold : ) And of course all the hugs and kisses.

We also had friends over for Christmas "lunch" since Paul had to head in to work tonight at 5pm.
Good food, good friends.
Great Day.
Minus 5pm, at which point Paul and I were both exhausted but he had to leave for an all-night shift and I got to stay home alone with 3 kids on the brink of meltdowns and a house that looked like a Christmas bomb went off.
But that was ok too. We managed to have a good night.

As I was getting the kids ready for bed tonight they insisted on tattoos (from their stockings). Which led to a an intersting conversation about Mom's tattoo. Which I of course turned into a teaching moment. (I had to when Noah asked me if he looked like, "one of those guys with tattoos all over who rides a motorcycle with no helmet?")
Something along the lines of following the prophet and me getting my tattoo laser burned off...
I knew I'd got the lesson across when Alex looked at me with big eyes and said, "I think I just like fake tattoos mom."
Or maybe I hit it a little too hard, because a few minutes later Alex nervously asked, "Mom, do Dr.'s still have laser guns?"
I explained they only use them when people want them too. She said, "Yeah, like when you have a real tattoo."

Not really wanting to end the night on that note we read a bunch of the kids new books. One of the stories mentioned the "olden days."
At which point Noah interrupted and said, "olden days? they mean the 1980's."
WHAT!??!!!!?

Actually, the night ended with the kids, once again, fighting sleep.
Because they didn't "want christmas to pass."

Ooohh I love these kids.
Merry Christmas.

9 comments:

Tiffany said...

we missed you but this makes me really excited for next year when we have our first christmas on our own and stay home and do it with just our kids. it will be awesome. i love all the stories about Christmas day. I think everyone should get to experience opening Christmas gifts with Alex at least once in their life. it's the best. love and miss you already!
oh and by the way this post was written by michele, but im too lazy to log off tiffany's account.

Tiffany said...

I was really confused when I clicked on this post to leave a comment and saw a comment already on here from me...aka, Michele being lazy ;)
Hilarious story about the tatoos! You didn't tell me that when we talked on the phone yesterday!
We missed you guys, but it sounds like you all had a great christmas and I am glad! And I gotta say ditto to what Shel said, reading how much you guys enjoy doing your own little family christmas makes me look forward to ours in chicago next year :)
Love you guys! Merry Christmas! xoxo

Shellie said...

Looks like such a fun Christmas! Avery carrying her little dolly around is killing me with cuteness! And the tattoo story is too much :) Love you!

Tracey said...

I love reading your updates, thanks for sharing!!! It seems that Hayden and Noah continue to be a lot a like, I look forward to one day when they can play together! I suppose we at least need to move back to the continent to hope that will happen! Try to stay warm! We'll think of you when we whine about going out 'cuz it's 50.

Melissa said...

You have a tattoo? Ooh, we have a lot to talk about.

I just got a guilt trip from Macy tonight too.

Faye said...

Thanks for sharing! I'm glad your Christmas was so wonderful. We missed Alex's excitement over her gifts this year and Noah ready to go play in the snow no matter how cold. Glad you got to enjoy your traditions, your kids, your husband and the holiday. I'm also super impressed you are so up to date on your blogging. I'm hopelessly behind.

Carolyn Hanson said...

Okay, the pic of Avery holding her baby doll is PRECIOUS!!! So cute!

And I've been meaning to tell you that the other day, Carter said, "Mom, do you know what Alex got for Christmas? A Tattoo!" Isn't that hilarious!!! And now it's even funnier knowing that story...

Lexie said...

Looks like a fantastic day - totally lovr the tatoo story. Alex might never go to the doctor again! So glad you had a wonderful Christmas.

Sarah said...

We had our very first Christmas with just our little family this year and I was a little nervous about being on our own, but I LOVED it. I know exactly what you mean. I'm glad you guys had such a wonderful Christmas!