Christmas 2012

Christmas 2012 was very laid back and chill, which was very nice.  We didn't go anywhere, but we did have some family come here.  Hosting both Christmas Eve dinner as well as Christmas (Day) dinner was fairly stressful, especially with our teensy tiny table.  But it worked out fine and was very pleasant and enjoyable in the end.  The grandmas were super helpful, and everyone was very kind and complimentary about it all.  It was loads of fun. A Mary Poppins Christmas... practically perfect in every way.

Christmas Eve, I traditionally make gingerbread cookies with the kids.  This year was no different.  Grandma Julie, Grandma Marilyn and Uncle Michael all joined in on the fun, too, and we went a little crazy decorating the little guys. There were even abominable snowmen (coconut)!  It was fun.  Then we opened our Christmas Eve jammie presents, which the kids especially enjoyed.  We read Luke 2 by the lights of the tree and sang Christmas carols and got to bed.

Santa came in the middle of the night and left wonderful presents for us all.

Grandma Marilyn and Uncle Michael did not stay the night, but they came to our house bright and early on Christmas morning.  After they got here, we came out into the living room to discover what Santa had left.  We were all very excited.  I was worried that James would feel gypped because his Santa gift was much lower scale than Jolie's (they each got what they'd asked for, but still I worried).  But it was not a problem in the least. They were both so happy for their own gifts and even for one another's that it was a non issue.  I was so proud.  My kids surprise me sometimes, and I love them all the more for it.  After discovering and playing with the gifts Santa left us, we delved into the wrapped gifts under the tree.  Christmas morning is so magical. It was a sweet and exciting (not to mention exhausting) morning.

Mom and Michael went home after lunch, and our little family took much needed naps.  After nap time, Grandpa Jim and Grandma Polly arrived (having driven up from New Mexico).  We opened presents with them, and the kids got even more spoiled.  It is so great that they travel up here every six months or so; it really helps the kids stay connected with them.  And that makes me happy.  It was a very fun afternoon, still low key and chill- and very pleasant.

That evening, we crammed around our little table for Christmas dinner.  We even got out the fine china!  It was quite funny to see how smooshed we all were, but it worked out just fine.  We enjoyed wonderful company and wonderful food.  It was a (you guessed it) wonderful day.

I am so grateful for family, for my little family that I love beyond words and for the fantastic extended family that we have.  Christmastime makes this gratitude even more pronounced.  There is just nothing that compares to spending a holiday surrounded by those you love.

Merry Christmas, one and all.