Christmas Update, Fifth and Final Update

On Christmas Eve we performed our usual rituals of leaving cookies and milk for Santa, and we left the reindeer some food on the front steps.  After carefully looking around the house and outside for any signs of Santa and his sleigh, we began the race against the clock to get in bed and asleep before Santa arrived.  At Lauren and Gracie's insistence, we hurried through our reading of The Night Before Christmas.

When we awoke the next morning, we discovered Santa had visited!!!!!  We paused on our way upstairs to appreciate the contrast of Santa's gifts.  We especially like William George's monster truck parked next to the girls' Bitty Twins strollers.

We hurried upstairs to wake the duo, and then we grabbed William George from his crib.

Although George didn't know what to think about all of the excitement, Gracie and Lauren raced to the tree.

George quickly found his very own flashlight tucked inside his stocking.  In fact, there were two flashlights in there, and he had previously scored two cool flashlights from Uncle James and Aunt Melinda and Gran.  That might be enough flashlights for him, but we shall see.  He LOVES flashlights, and he already knows you can never have too many.

The duo were as excited about George's truck as he was.

Doesn't he look completely at home in that thing?

There were a few more goodies to discover and open.

Santa brought new shoes for everyone.

After the mayhem, we played... and played... and played.  Later, after George climbed into the bed of his truck and fell a few times, Skip dubbed his monster truck the "concussion machine".  Luckily, there have been few incidents, and he has stopped attempting to climb onto the roof of the truck.

We had a wonderful Christmas.  Although the gifts are featured here to preserve memories of our children's Christmas experience, we reiterated the true meaning of Christmas daily.  The "stuff" doesn't matter.  Remembering the reason for our celebration is the surest way to keep commercialism at bay and to prevent holiday blues when our regular celebrations are over.  Our holidays were also magical because we were able to spend time with family, to celebrate, visit and laugh.  To our families, we had a WONDERFUL time.  To our friends out there, we hope your holidays brought you warmth and love.

xo
Cathi

Christmas 2012

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Christmas Update, Fourth Installment

Ho! Ho! Ho! The Christmas updates continue!  Granted, at this rate, we will wrap up sometime before Valentine's Day, but bear with us.  We love the holidays!  LOVE!

We visited with Skip's parents during the afternoon on Christmas Eve.  William George was contemplating an apprenticeship with Santa Claus.  He especially likes the concept of maintaining a naughty/nice list. 

 

By this point, the duo were on an adrenaline high from all the partying and from counting down the hours until Santa's arrival. 

Gran's tree was very festive.  In fact, our Christmas card photo was taken in front of their tree earlier in the month. 

William George initiated the present opening by merely tearing into a random present.  Luckily, the present was meant for him. 

A quick rest was finally needed. 

After a wonderful visit, we were ready to return home so that we could start Christmas Eve preparations, such as making cookies for Santa, leaving food for the reindeer and putting on Christmas pajamas. 

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Christmas Update, Third Installment

Our next Christmas party was my mom's gathering on Christmas Eve.  Gracie made mashed potatoes for the event, and she received rave reviews.  (Daddy helped.)

(Lauren was feeling under the weather, after coming down with a bug that she would later spread to George and Gracie (and ultimately to me), meaning that our annual tradition of going to the pediatrician at Christmas would remain intact.) 

After preparing our dish, everyone got ready to party.  As you can see, the girls were channeling their inner Santa. 

Skip put on his official Christmas outfit, a dark green shirt, and was ready to celebrate. 

Mom's tree looked so elegant. 

 

In the below photo, our lovely host (mom/Grammie) is joking that she is about to remove her shoes for comfort.  Therefore, the fact that her shoes are in focus, whereas she is not, is only fitting. 

My mom's sister was visiting, and the duo never miss an opportunity to love on their favorite Great Auntie. 

 

Even cousin Lexy (!!) likes to get in on the hug fest. 

 

Two pretties comparing notes on Santa's exploits. 

 

Gracie was sooo excited about Santa impending visit.  She was glowing all day. 

William George was certain he made it to the "good list". 

Gifts were exchanged.

Uncle James gave tutorials about how to use walkie talkies.  These were a HUGE hit, and duo are in constant communication now. 

We had a wonderful time celebrating with family, and everyone was far, far too generous to our monkeys. 

 

Highlights of the day include William George's insistence on going outside with Skip and James.  He knew he belonged outside with the guys, where he could run around and be free. 

 

More to come!

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Christmas Update, Second Installment

Now that we are almost mid-January, how about some Christmas party updates?   Again, our blog is not marked by any sense of urgency. 

Our first family party was at my dad's on the 23rd. My stepmother goes all out for Christmas, decorating every room and surface -- even the fish tank.  The decorations are mind-blowing for the trio, as their eyes adjust to the Christmas Shoppe quality of atmosphere.  William George kept calling the fish and their tank "Elmo" because of Dorothy the goldfish.

Gracie and Lauren occasionally pause for hugs. 

We even wrangled the older and younger grandchild for a photo.  The 17 year old?  She's charming. The 17 month old?  He has his moments. 

Also, there is a collection of Hallmark characters that captivate the girls every year. 

William George found 'Noop-noop. 

We had a delicious meal and a wonderful visit.  I even broke my policy of staying behind the camera for a quick shot with Dad and my brother, James. 

 

We had a great time, and only reluctantly left their Christmas wonderland to get ready for Christmas Eve. 



Status Update

Are we the only family in the world struggling with re-entry? I feel we may be. Sure, everyone struck out like gangbusters Monday morning (or at least there were no tears), but by this morning there were pleas to stay home and play.

William George, although he luxuriates in staying home, has not adjusted well either. He misses his tribe terribly, and he has expressed his confusion with a couple of impressive tantrums.  Also, he has been watching Elmo's Happy Holidays on a continuous loop.

I had planned to post a daily holiday update this week and neatly wrap up Christmas 2012 with Friday's post.  Our sluggish re-entry, coupled with Blogger's bugs (Honestly, Blogger, get yourself together.  Blogger is partying like every day is New Year's Eve and is refusing to load photos -- only loading in HTML and only one... photo... at... a... time.) has put that schedule wayyyy behind.

We'll try to regroup for the updates again tomorrow, yes?

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