Christmas Continued. . .



 

After opening our gifts at home and a short but sweet drop-in visit by my parents, we headed over to the Bakers to continue getting spoiled.  It was fun to watch Max enjoy the gifts. . .

 

These two have the sweetest love for each other. . .

I really can't post about Christmas without saying how much Matt was missed.  It wasn't something we said out loud although I wish we would have but I definitely felt his absence.  The presence of the Haynes-Petersons helped to fill the void but no one can replace Matt. 

Kimberly, Robert and Ross spent Christmas with us for the first time in at least a decade.  It's always so good to see them and to catch up with their lives in person.  I totally appreciate the way Facebook helps us keep in touch but you can't hug over Facebook!!

 

It was a lovely, restful afternoon. . .

 

 

 

 

Gloria painted this lovely birdhouse for Grandma and Grandpa. . .

And Zach painted this reindeer.  He said it is Rudolph's cousin from The Ukraine. . .

His name is Dragovitch. . .

Zach and Ross both had Legos to put together and Ross seemed very happy to have Zach's assistance. . .

We topped off the day by playing Chicken Foot and, of course, I won.  The scorekeeper always wins. . .

Robert, Kim and Ross are back in New York as I write this and I miss them already.  It would be so great if they lived closer but they have a great life in New York so I'll patiently wait for their next visit and keep up with them through texts and FB.  Thankful for all of my family!!

Christmas Morning. . .

In spite of the fact that I was up half the night waiting to put out the presents, I was still up before everyone else on Christmas morning.  I always make coffee, light the candles and play the Rich Mullins song, You Gotta Get Up, while I wait for the rest of the family to roll out of bed (or off of the couch, as it were).  Gloria is usually the next one up and she helps me wake the other two. 

We spent the next 45 minutes or so opening gifts from each other.  The fun thing about kids getting older is that they start buying gifts for other people.  I can say it's all about the giving but I'll be honest and say it's still really fun to open stuff on Christmas morning.  We were all mildly spoiled this year. . .

It's not Gloria's fault that I continue to buy her Barbies for Christmas.  I'm living in denial. . .

Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Morning

New iPad! Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Eve. . .

Every year for the past decade or so we have spent Christmas Eve at my parent's house with my sister's family and my Uncle Gale and Aunt Tracie.  Last Christmas Eve we all agreed that THIS Christmas Eve, we would all wear our pajamas and be comfortable.  We confirmed that on several occasions throughout the year with a final reminder on Thanksgiving.  But then I turned 46 and my memory left me.  Actually, it had been a crazy week with Rob sick and Gloria catching up with birthday parties and work and, and, and.  It's always something.  Anyway, I forgot about the PJ's.  But everyone else looked great!!

We had a lovely time, as usual, reading the Christmas Story, exchanging White Elephant gifts, opening presents, eating way too much yummy food (waffles this year!) and enjoying each other's company.  (This was the first Christmas Eve that Rob has ever missed, I'm pretty sure. . . )

Remember the tree branch from the 50th wedding anniversary celebration?  It doubles as a Christmas ornament display!!

My sister's Scotty dog, Sylvester, passed away earlier this year and she has missed him terribly.  When I found Scotty Dog decorative pillow, I couldn't resist buying it for her. . .

She liked it. . .

We have traditions at home, too, on Christmas Eve.  I thought maybe they wouldn't be as important since the kids are now 14 and 20 but they look forward to sleeping in the living room next to the tree and waking up to find all of their presents wrapped and waiting for them (ok, mostly Gloria).  Unfortunately, as they age, so do I.  Which means they can stay up later and later and I want to go to bed earlier and earlier!  I had wrapped everything the day before so all I had to do was wait until they fell asleep so I could sneak them under the tree.  I waited.  And waited.  And waited.  And finally I just went to sleep and finished up a few hours later. 

I enjoy the peacefulness of early Christmas morning in a clean, decorated house while everyone else snoozes away. . .

I suppose I should be thankful that Gloria can still experience the magic of Christmas.  I try not to think about time flying by and the changes that will bring to our family traditions. . .