Christmas 2013

We had a great Christmas.  I spent a lot of time resting since I was feeling so big and so pregnant, and having so many contractions (the Sunday before Christmas I had 8 in one hour, which freaked me out thinking we were going to end up with another Christmas baby).

We spent Christmas Eve at my sister's house.  We started off with yummy food. (Why am I always thinking about the food?)  She provided meats and cheeses for sandwhiches, and all the rest of us brought appetizers to go with it.  I want some more of those meatballs right now.  We also acted out the nativity, where Dan and I were chosen to be Mary and Joseph for obvious reasons, while my boys were the shepherds. 

We didn't stay too late, but headed home to open pajamas and read "Twas the night before Christmas."  But apparently I didn't take any pictures of those things.

The kids got to bed and we waited for Santa.  I worked hard to have things ready so we wouldn't be up all night wrapping, which was good because it took us long enough just to pull everything out of hiding.

The next morning, things were exciting and chaotic.

We got a new WiiU, and everyone got something to ride on plus one other toy (train, Beyblades, Snap Circuits), plus stockings and clothes.

Then we headed to brunch at my other sister's house and to spend some time with family.

I love Christmas.  I feel like there were things I just missed out on this year as far as our traditions, but I am glad we got to focus on the most important things: family and the birth of our Savior.

Jackson turns 2 and Tyler turns 10

Our December birthdays were very low key this year.  Tyler really wanted a birthday party, but I knew there was no way I could swing it.  I told him I would get him a big lego set in place of a party.  Luckily he agreed, and on the first day of Christmas Vacation, he got this:

and had it put together in no time.

For Jackson's birthday (December 23), we went over to Grandma and Grandpa's house.  My mom made us dinner, we decorated sugar cookies for Christmas, opened presents, and had cupcakes.

We gave him a Jake and the Neverland Pirates Duplo set.  Grandma got him some Bubble Guppies bath toys.  Of everything he got for his Birthday and Christmas, those Bubble Guppies toys are his favorite.  He carries them everywhere!

Tyler's birthday (December 26) was also low key.  He opened his presents first thing in the morning.
You'll notice he recently discovered Star Wars.  After watching all 6 movies in one weekend, he officially loves it.  Hence the Star Wars slant to his birthday. 

I made him his favorite dinner, stromboli, and then we had cousins over for cake and ice cream.

Both boys were happy at the end of it all. 

December

Baby pictures and info coming soon.  I am trying to play catch up!

I spent most of December doing the single parent thing (from November 29-December 18).  We didn't do too much besides keep the house clean.  We had 16 showings in 3 weeks, but we luckily got an offer and the house is under contract.  Even better, is that they wanted a 60 day closing, which means we have till the end of February before we have to be out.  I was so worried that I would either be homeless with a newborn, or still showing the house with a newborn, so we feel blessed with the way things worked out.

We had a few things happen in December:

Tyler earned a new belt in karate.

And then later that afternoon had his first piano recital.  Here he is with his teacher, who we love and will miss.

Brady and Carter had their Christmas program at preschool.  This is the fourth program in their preschool career, and each time they do better.  Brady was actually on stage and singing, and Carter went up on the stage for the first time! They said they liked doing it, and that they liked wearing their pajamas to school.  Yet another thing I am sad about.  They have done so well at preschool, and have great teachers. 

We had quite a bit of snow, and the kids loved playing in the snow and sledding.  Grandma and Grandpa have a nice small hill behind their house that Tyler, Abby, Brady, and Carter played on.

And just a few totally random pictures:

Christmas prep

We scaled back a lot this year.  I let a lot of things go that I didn't think I could do without a spouse.  We did no baking, no big trip to the city to see lights, with our house on the market we cut out a lot of decorating, but it has still been a good month.

We did put up a little tree this year, with a few decorations.

My mom also had her annual trim the tree party, this year with an extra special visitor.  I love her traditions, and thank goodness she was willing to carry on this year when I wasn't.

We decorated the tree.

The kids got their new ornaments.

We broke the pinata.

And finally, had a visit from Santa.  Brady and Carter wouldn't go near his lap, even with the promise of a present.