Merry Christmas!!

We had a WONDERFUL Christmas! Everything was simple and relaxing. This is the first year that our boys really understood what was going on, and were excited about Christmas and Santa. The boys decorated cookies for Santa's cookie plate. We went out for some yummy mexican dinner. We watched lots of movies. Pete told the boys that on Christmas Eve night they would be able to open up one gift. Clifford kept hoping he'd get to open a toy, but of course Pete and I knew exactly which gift they'd get to open: their new set of pajamas with slippers. We tucked the boys in at their normal bedtime and waited impatiently for them to fall into a deep sleep before 'Santa' set out their gifts. Before Pete and I went to bed ourselves, we made bets at what time we thought the boys would wake up. I said 3am (like last year) and Pete said 7am. The boys woke us up at 3:45am, excited as could be! All of us really liked every gift we received, with only one gift having to be returned for a bigger size. We had a delicious breakfast, help build legos with the boys, and took naps. We ended our Christmas with a fantastic diner. This was such a wonderful Christmas and I'm so grateful for everything. Most of all, I'm grateful for Pete and my boys!

Starting Christmas Eve with some homemade cinnamon rolls! This was the first time I ever made these from scratch. They turned out delicious. Even Pete said they were the best he ever had! Best compliment ever!
Decorating Santa's Cookies!


Out to dinner!


Excited for new pajamas!

Santa Came!!!











Getting ready to sit down to dinner

Ready for Christmas!

Well, I think we're all set and ready for Christmas here in the Nielsen house. All the presents have been bought, wrapped, and put under the tree. Goodies baked and passed out to co-workers and neighbors. Christmas cards and gifts have been mailed off. It feels good to know I can just sit back and relax (as much as I can with two boys). Today on Christmas Eve Eve, I'll get in the kitchen with the boys and bake up some cookies and cinnamon rolls for tomorrow morning. For Christmas Eve itself, we have the tradition of baking fresh sugar cookies and decorating them for Santa. We munch during the day on delicious snack food, and go out for dinner (thinking maybe Mexican food this year). Then we'll drink lots of hot chocolate, and read lots of Christmas books and watch lots of Christmas movies until time for bed. Pete and I still need to discuss on how early we'll allow the boys to get up to see what Santa brought them. I think last Christmas we were up at 3am. I really don't want to repeat that this year :)

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!

SANTA!!!!!

Yesterday I took the boys to see Santa. I made a point to head to the mall as they opened, hoping to be one of the firsts in line. Nope, that didn't happen. When we got to the mall 10 minutes after they opened, there was already a huge line waiting to see Santa. So much for getting there early. I think we were in line close to an hour before it was the boys turn. They were so excited! They went straight up to Santa and sat on his lap. Kristjan told Santa he wanted "swimming little puppies barbie, more barbies, and a barbie driving in her car". Clifford told Santa he wanted "legos and a bb gun" (Clifford LOVES the 'Christmas Story' movie, so I think that's where he got the bb gun idea from). Santa's reply to Clifford was "You'll shoot your eye out. But we'll see." After the picture, Santa gave each boy a coloring book and said he would see them Friday night! :)

Kristjan's Christmas Performance

Last week Kristjan's preschool class performed a mini christmas program. Kristjan was so cute singing. You could tell he was really happy and excited because he couldn't stand still the entire time. I've been trying to edit the video I took to just show the highlights of the program, but I've been having issues with it so I've given up. But here are a few pics to enjoy-Kristjan is in the middle of the front row.

Christmas thru the Years

Xmas Projects

Kristjan came home with a bag full of christmas projects he made in preschool. Last set of projects of 2010!