Merry Christmas!!

Our Christmas this year was perfect! It was very relaxed and low-key. There was one minor glitch-both boys and I got sick. Kristjan's started Friday, while Clifford and I started getting sick on Sunday. But we didn't let that stop us from enjoying the holiday. For Christmas Eve breakfast, per Clifford's request, I made some homemade blueberry rolls (yum!). In the late afternoon, we went bowling for a few hours. We had a lot of fun!! Kristjan made us laugh with his twinkle toes-he'd run on the tip of his toes up to the end of the lane and then throw the bowling ball. Clifford did pretty good, getting a few strikes. And of course, there was friendly competition between Pete and I. We forgot how much fun bowling can be. We need to make a point of going more as a family. Once our games were done, we headed home for the evening. Dinner consisted of various snacks and watching tv together. Around this time we decided it was a good time to let the boys open their Xmas Eve present. Now, the boys have finally caught on. They know the gift is always new pajamas. Last year, Clifford threw a minor fit over this because we wouldn't let them open a second one (ie, a toy). So this year Pete and I thought we'd be clever and wrap a toy in their pjs. They each wanted one of the new Minecraft Lego sets, so that was the gift to go in. I carefully opened the boxes and stuffed them full of tissue paper so the pieces wouldn't rattle when they held their gift, therefore giving it away. The boys were also getting new robes along with their pj bottoms, so that helped to conceal the bulky box as well. So the time came to open the gift. Pete took video with my phone and I took pics with the camera. Clifford was the first to realize the hidden surprise and his expression was priceless!!! We felt like such awesome parents tricking and surprising our boys. We spent the evening helping the boys build their new Lego sets before they asked us if they could go to bed shortly after 6pm!!(partly because we've been sick and partly because they were anxious for Santa to come). They sat out some cookies and milk for Santa before getting tucked into bed. Pete and I stayed up a bit longer to watch a movie before Santa decided to make a visit to our house.

On Christmas morning, we're not sure exactly what time the boys woke up, but Pete and I didn't wake up until 8am! That was very nice!! The morning consisted of seeing what Santa brought the boys, opening gifts, and numerous phone calls and text messages to family and friends. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast before spending the entire day on the floor helping the boys build all their new Lego sets. Once I was finally done helping Kristjan with his last set, it was time for me to get in the kitchen to make dinner and dessert. We had a wonderful feast: steak, crab, veggies, potatoes and apple pie! The remainder of our Christmas evening has slowed down, with Kristjan coloring, Pete and Clifford cuddling on the couch watching a movie, and me simply relaxing. It was a great holiday and we're so grateful to have each other!

[Sorry for the picture overload below. Our main holiday tradition is to stay home and have Christmas with just our little family. This is our way of sharing our Christmas with family. And somehow a few of the pics of Christmas Day got out of order, but you get the idea. Enjoy!!]

~CHRISTMAS EVE~

~CHRISTMAS DAY~