Family Christmas Party 2011

Every year, my mom's side of the family gets together before Christmas for an annual Christmas party.   To mix things up this year, we decided to move the location to a Burdette Park Cabin.  This allowed homes to be freed up and everyone to have more room to visit.  It is always great to catch up with family, enjoy some yummy food, and watch the kids play with their cousins (1st and 2nd).  Definitely going on a diet after eating some of the goodies like maple syrup soaked pigs in a blanket!

The kids all open one gift brought by the parents and the adults participate in a Chinese gift exchange. As always, the gift exchange has an alcohol theme to it and it gets pretty crazy watching the alcohol change hands while the sensible (aka boring) gifts like tool kits, picture frames, and candles never get "stolen".  We gave the boys Lego books, Star Wars and Harry Potter) that kept them entertained for an extended time period. Claire was having fun running around and sharing popcorn with her 2nd cousin, Eli, who is a few months younger than she is.

...and it wouldn't be a family party without some added drama. That cut the party shorter than usual, but it was still a good time! Merry Christmas to all my family!

Christmas Part 3

As mentioned earlier, we had to postpone our Christmas celebrations with Chris's dad and family until after Christmas. We went to their house after work on Tuesday to celebrate Christmas and also Chris's birthday. Unfortunately, Gma Donna was sick that evening and we didn't get to visit with her (she was down for the evening - hopefully the boys weren't too loud). The boys loved that they received more Lego sets from Papa and Gma to add to their ever-expanding collection. They were also very excited about the movie pack - Up movie, popcorn, and hot chocolate - that we received from Aunt Julie and Uncle Marx.

Chris had received a birthday card that played the song "Rock-n-Roll All Night". The boys loved playing that over and over again while dancing and doing air guitar. Then, Papa decided to put on "Born to be Wild" which brought back memories for Chris and Julie. It was a fun evening...even though we had to call it an earlier night due to work the next day! The boys also really enjoyed visiting with Aunt Julie and receiving some one-on-one attention from her. Connor said he was really going to miss her...and then he got to see her the next evening!

Christmas Day Part 1

Luckily, the boys are still willing to sleep in on Christmas Day and know that everything will still be there, so we we all got up about 8am that day. Connor was relieved that Santa came to our house as he wasn't sure if he was on the naughty or nice list (skirted the edges a few times, huh?) and didn't hear Santa during the night. Santa left his evidence of cookie crumbs, empty milk glass, and a note to the boys. He thanked them for the goodies and the reindeer food which he found waiting for him (we forgot to let them spread it outside the night before).

They went for the stockings first since they could see surprises peeking out. They then had a lot of fun opening presents which we managed to keep very controlled by handing them one item at a time to open individually or together. They received several combined gifts from Santa since he knows they like the same things. Their favorites from Santa were the Lego sets, puzzles, and the World of Zoo Wii game. Brady got a Leapster and Connor got a remote control RC Buggy Car from us. After breakfast, they had a little time to play before we headed to Gma Darla's and Papa's for Christmas celebrations.

Christmas Eve

Every year on Christmas Eve, Mimi & Papa come to our house to celebrate Christmas with the boys. As always, there is a lot of food for just the 6 of us and the boys are spoiled rotten. The boys love the attention! This year, they were calling Mimi & Papa Ms. Claus and Santa Claus. It was so cute! Our family gift was a Wii, which has been a very popular item all weekend. The boys love to play Mario Kart, even though they are terrible drivers right now. Connor's favorite gift was Rocky the Robot and he loves dancing with him. Brady's favorite was the Cars-themed remote control cars for their Geotrax set. It was a nice evening and the boys were more than willing to climb into bed that evening (together for a slumber party, of course). They said that Santa would pass by their house if they weren't in bed sleeping when he arrived in the area.

Christmas Fun

The boys are at such a great age for Christmas right now. The weeks leading up to Christmas, they are making holiday crafts at school, singing all the songs (I have been shocked at all the ones they know by heart), talking about how Santa "operates" and making their requests known. We have a few annual traditions that we participate in every year like Breakfast with Santa and Fantasy of Lights. This year we didn't bake a lot, but we did make a few cookies that the boys could use their cookie cutters to help with.

I tried several times to get the boys on video singing one of their favorite Christmas songs since we were hearing them in the car, at home, and even while they were going to sleep. They would usually stop what they were doing or start acting goofy about it. I did get this video, which was so cute even though they knew it wasn't true!

Fantasy of Lights

After the birthday celebrations, we took the kids to the park to see the Ritzy's Fantasy of Lights (an annual tradition). It was a little drizzly that night, but that wasn't going to stop us from enjoying the light displays. The boys got a big kick out of telling us what the displays were and asking lots of questions about them. When asked what their favorites were, they responded "ALL OF THEM".

Family Christmas Party

Every year, my mom's side of the family gets together before Christmas for an annual Christmas party. The kids all open one gift brought by the parents and the adults participate in a Chinese gift exchange. As always, the gift exchange has an alcohol theme to it. We "won" a bottle of Tequila (for post-baby, of course) and a Showplace movie certificate (hopefully not post-baby).

It is always great to catch up with the family! We go so long between visits sometimes and I really want my kids to know their extended family (which is also why we will probably never move). This year was more exciting than last year since the youngest kiddos are all now walking. In addition, my sister has added 3 girls to her group with her marriage to Bobby last spring. This year there was 12 kids, first and second cousins, running around having a blast!

Merry Christmas to all my family!

Breakfast with Santa

After last year's experience, we were very excited to attend the Breakfast with Santa again this year that is sponsored by my employer's employee organization. They always do a great job with the breakfast and the setup and this year didn't disappoint.

We got a seat pretty close and the boys were able to watch all the other kids sitting on Santa's lap and receiving presents while they ate their breakfast. Their best friend, Jesse, was also there so they were very excited to get in line and start telling Santa about everything they wanted for Christmas. We got to the front for our turn and the boys became all talk (again)! It took some nudging to get them close and then Connor finally jumped on Santa's lap. Once Santa started talking to him, all was okay and who knows what all Connor told him (check out his cheese in the picture). Brady, on the other hand, had a death grip on me. They then received a present from Santa with their name on it, which was just awesome. Connor got a Hot Wheels Dino Track and Brady got an Electronic Guitar.

Upon leaving, the boys also received a personalized snowman ornament and a goodie bag of chocolates, candy canes, and an orange. We had a really nice time seeing some friends from work with their children and visiting with Santa Claus. In the car, Connor was asking lots of questions about Santa and these dinners and breakfasts. When he asked me why he doesn't do lunches, I said it was because he works the mall during that time frame. He said Santa is very busy!

Christmas Celebrations!

Well, the hectic (yet fun) schedule of celebrating Christmas with family is over and we even have 3 days of vacation to follow it. I hope everyone had a great Christmas with their families. With Connor almost 4 and Brady at 2 1/2, Christmas this year was nothing short of magical for us. They were very excited for Santa to come visit our house with the daily song being "Santa Claus is Coming to town". Their eyes were constantly filled with wonder, joy, and excitement.

On December 23rd, we always spend our evening with Papa Terry, Gma Donna, and Aunt Julie (except for the year she was living in Canada) so our Christmas celebrations started on Tuesday. Papa Terry always prepares a feast for such a small crowd and has never disappointed. The boys were very excited that Papa remembered that they wanted the Geotrax Grand Central Station. Papa was the one that introduced them to Geotrax with a starter kit for Connor's 1st Birthday and they have been adding to it ever since. We ended the evening with Aunt Julie reading the boys their new books before we headed home. It was REALLY late, but the boys insisted on staying up late to assemble the train.

On Christmas Eve, Daddy unfortunately had to work until 2, so mommy and the boys hung out all day. They were really good until late afternoon...naps were needed badly (from staying up late the night before) but my boys DO NOT nap. Thank goodness, that evening, Mimi, Papa, and Aunt Julie came over to our house. Of course, the boys were the entertainment for the entire evening. In addition to Geotrax set for Connor and Pat Pat Rocket for Brady, Mimi got the boys another cool gift - Wowwee Alive Lion and Tiger Cubs. They are so real...but without the mess!

On Christmas Day, the boys woke up before us and played in each other's rooms. They aren't quite to the point where they run into the living room and see all the presents that Santa brought and then are eager to tear into it at the risk of the parents still being half-asleep. Instead, we got another year of sleeping in and taking our time. After Christmas at our house, we went to the Lynn house for the mayhem of 6 grandkids, 5 siblings/spouses, and my parents opening presents at warp speed. You give up pretty quickly on seeing what anyone else has opened and just focus on your own stack! The rest of the afternoon was leisurely - naps (for the adults), watching Ice Age 2, figuring out new homes for all the new toys and lets not forget the constant grazing of the food buffet.

Brady thinking "Are we done now?"

Magic Cares Holiday Show

To continue the busy weekend, on Sunday we received tickets to the Magic Cares Holiday Show that was to support our local organization, CASA (which I actually interned at during my college years). The show featured 4 local magicians, with one of them being Don Baggett that had Connor rolling at the Boo at the Zoo. He was even talking about his act on the way to the show and he didn't disappoint by starting with the most talked about act first, the banana act. In addition, there was a "balloon" guy that blows up a life size balloon that he starts out putting on his head and dances to (see picture below). Later in the act, half his body is in the balloon and when his partner pops the balloon he had been making balloon animals inside. It was hilarious! I also enjoyed Brandon Baggett's show, although the boys got a little scared when the lights were turned out. The boys had reached their limit about half way through and were tired, but hopefully they will bring this show back again next year! I think we will definately go again!

Christmas Festivities with Family

Every year, usually the Saturday immediately before Christmas, we have a Christmas party with my mom's family (Grandma Darla). This is usually rotated between 2 or 3 family member's homes and includes a Chinese gift exchange. The Chinese gift exchange usually has a "spirited" theme and this year didn't disappoint (I got some Jamaican Rum). This year it was at Grandma Darla's - fun and chaotic as usual. The nine grandkids of my mom and all of her siblings range in age primarily from age 1-6 and then Shane at 11. There was chaos, laughter, tears, running, screaming, giggling, etc.

For more pictures click here....

Christmas Spirit Gauge

I attended an event the other day that included a Christmas Ice Breaker. The goal was to find someone who showed their Christmas spririt by doing one of the following items. The good news is that we do 10 of the 16 items....how does your Christmas spirit measure?

1. Has a Real Christmas tree ~ that seems like a lot of work...I love my prelit tree.

2. Opens Presents on Christmas Eve ~ we open a few presents on Christmas Eve with our loved ones

3. Loves Eggnog ~ Absolutely

4. Hangs Stockings ~ Absolutely

5. Has a Nativity Scene

6. Has Sat on Santa's Lap ~ I can barely get the boys in the same vicinity as Santa, let alone sit on his lap

7. Decorates Home with Outside Lights ~ Negotiated area...see #15, 16 and I have lighted trees on the porch

8. Travels Out of Town for Christmas ~ Our entire family is located here...Chris would love to one day take a vacation over Christmas and I always remind him of the John Grisham book "Skipping Christmas"

9. Puts Cookies out for Santa ~ Absolutely

10. Likes to Sing Christmas Carols ~ Absolutely

11. Can Name Santa's Reindeers ~ Would be in big trouble with the boys if we couldn't do this

12. Likes to Eat Fruit Cake ~ Can't say that fruit cake makes the list, but I am open to all other traditional holiday baked goods

13. Has Kids that Believe in Santa Claus ~ Absolutely and this is the first year that they are very excited about Santa's role in Christmas. Connor loves to sing the song "Santa Claus is coming to town"

14. Has seen Christmas Vacation (or Christmas Story) ~ I have seen Christmas Vacation several times, Christmas Story is one that I have tried to watch but can't ever remember watching it (I think I always fall asleep)

15. Has a Christmas Wreath on the Door ~ This was a negotiated area related to Outdoor Lights above

16. Has Lighted Reindeer in Front Yard ~ This was a negotiated area related to Outdoor Lights above

Few more that I added:

17. Has a blow up Snowman or Santa in their front yard

18. Attends the annual Ritzy's Fantasy of Lights or 4H Fair Wonderland Light Show

19. Participates in a White Elephant or Chinese Christmas Exchange

20. Debates whether online shopping or Eastland Mall is the best way to shop

Brady's Christmas Program

Brady had his 1st Christmas program with his daycare now that he is in the 2 year old room. He is in Connor's former room where he had his 1st Chistmas program last Christmas, but with the change in schools Connor was not part of this year's program.

The kids started practicing the two songs weeks ago - Hide Behind Christmas Boxes and Reindeer Hokey Pokey. They dressed the kids up as Reindeers including tails and antlers. Brady didn't have very high standards to compete with - all he had to do is make sure his finger inserted into nose did not become part of the program.

He was very interested in knowing where we were and got some great smiles/smirks. They did a great job and the kids were just adorable! Check out the video below...

Breakfast with Santa

Today, we ventured out for an early morning breakfast and visit with Santa sponsored by my employer's employee organization. I have always heard great things about the event and the best part is that Santa gives gifts especially picked out for the kids.

Last year, we went to dinner with Santa and the boys would not get within 50 feet of the big red guy. This year, we got a seat pretty close and the boys were able to watch all the other kids sitting on santa's lap and receiving presents while they ate their breakfast. This was perfect motivation for them to talk about what they were going to discuss with Santa and to get in line. We got to the front for our turn and the boys became all talk! We were able to hold them close enough to Santa for a picture (can't wait to see the picture). They then received a present from Santa with their name on it, which was just awesome for them. (This is where the group does a great job - I'm sure they had a blast shopping for all the kids). Connor got a large Hot Wheels Speed Racar and Brady got a VTech Learning StoryBook.

Upon leaving, the boys also received a personalized snowman ornament and a goodie bag of chocolates, candy canes, hot cocoa, and an orange. Can't go wrong with those kind of treats! We had a really nice time seeing some friends from work with their children and visiting with Santa Claus.