Merry Christmas!!

Here is a picture of our family on Christmas Eve. It was taken by J's friend, M, who joined us at home and church that afternoon.

T's parents joined us for his birthday several days on the week before Christmas. We had a great time with them! We did NOT wake up the kids at 1 am. However, T's parents worked it out so they got in around supper time. We didn't tell the kids about the change in plans, though. We took them out to eat and to an ametuer ice skating show. T's parents called us and let us know we'd locked them out. (oops!) and we gave them our garage code. They they went in and unloaded presents and called us to come home. We brought the kids home, and I laid it on thick telling them how it was late and they needed to get their pjs on and get ready for bed. Then the big moment came.

We got home and sent the kids in first, with us on their heels. H first noticed the plate of cookies G'ma B left on the table. The kids gathered around the table discussing where they could possibly be from. Grandpa and Grandma and a heap of presents were in clear sight, but the kids couldn't get past the cookies! It was hard not to laugh! :) Finally H noticed the presents and the grandparents and there was much excitement, jumping up and down, etc.

The kids did stay up until around 10pm. G had a melt down when we tried to take her to bed - she was NOT done playing with her toys! But she was clearly exhausted, so it didn't take long to settle her down. We had a good time with T's parents in town. (I got my first pedicure!)

We celebrated Christmas alone. It was quiet and low key. Our Christmas service provided some excitement, when the fire alarm went off mid-service. Thankfully it was a false alarm and quickly resolved without interrupting anything. The kids managed to sit through most of the service with little arguing. And as T said, if the Christmas eve service is the most stressful part of your holiday, you're doing something right! :)

Now T's brother T2 and wife K are here with their two kids, about the same ages as ours. We are having a good time! T is off all week to enjoy the time they are here. It's been a great vacation. :)

I took a look at my calendar and realized that the kids don’t go back to school until Jan 7! I was getting panicky at entertaining them after Jan 1 when T goes back to work. I decided to load up the van and drive them to my mom’s for a first of the kind trip to Wisconsin’s winter wonderland. :) I hope they get a chance to sled on the really big hills. I hope even more that they behave on the long trip up and back. We leave Jan. 2, weather permitting.

I crocheted a scarf and mittens to match my hat on Christmas day. Santa gave me the yarn! :) I'll post a picture soon!