Christmas was really good this year. We stuck to many of our same traditions and I LOVE that. Christmas Eve morning we spend together as our family of four. We opened our presents and saw what Santa brought. Derek made bacon and caramel rolls from scratch. Punky actually tried the caramel rolls this year- maybe when the kids are teenagers they will enjoy them like we do.
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| I bought matching Christmas PJs for the kids this year. We are never not having matching Christmas PJs ever again. |
We headed to Maynard that afternoon for church and dinner at Great-Grandma Margene's. She serves lutefisk and Swedish meatballs. The kids didn't try that. They load up on bread and the relish tray. While the ladies are cleaning up and doing dishes, Grandpa Scott takes everyone to school across the street and the boys (young and old) and kids play basketball and other gym activities. This year was smaller as most of Derek's cousins are now married and have kids, so the gift giving didn't last until midnight like I remember it did when the kids were littler. We were back to Grandma's in bed by 10.
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| Matching church clothes too! |
We spent Christmas Day at Grandma Trudi and Grandpa Scott's. We ate turnovers for breakfast and spaghetti for lunch. Once all the cousins got to town, we opened presents. The kids were spoiled but a good amount. They were really happy with their gifts and didn't get to the "I can't open another present" stage or the "I wanted more!" stage.
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| Cousins! |
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| One Week Old |
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| Babies' First Christmas |
The forecast was calling for 10 inches of snow and 40 mile an hour wind, so we left that night instead of the next morning like we had planned. Six years ago, there was a terrible blizzard that prevented us from getting to my parent's house for Christmas and I did not handle it well. Yes, I was pregnant (and didn't know it at the time) but I think I would've been super sad without the crazy hormones. The three hour car ride took us closer to five, but we made it.
We spent the weekend with Grandpa Max and Grandma Debbie. Auntie Shannon, Nate and Leah were there for the majority of our time too. We missed Abby this year. She is growing up and has to work a real job and all that business. (She gave the kids amazing gifts- Buddy got a remote control dinosaur like he had been asking for! And Punky got makeup and nail stuff and a stuffed animal. She was really generous and we sure missed her). We all learned that a five year old boy and a beagle aren't a good mix- it got a little crazy at times. But it was a nice weekend filled with good food, games, movies and relaxing. Apparently, too relaxing because I came home with no pictures taken! (except this one of Leah doing Punky's makeup)
We were able to get outside and play in the snow which felt really good considering how many Christmas cookies I ate.
We got back home at a decent time today. The house is a disaster and I don't know where we are going to put everything yet. That's part of the fun though. :)
Now imagine how I feel celebrating it during summer! Takes a lot to get used to having a BBQ on the beach in shorts and a tank. Glad you guys are making traditions with the kids early.
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