Christmas 2009

Okay, so I know it is almost February. Sorry. Our computer died over a month ago and it took us that long to realize that we needed a new one. I will do my best to remember what happened over the holidays.

On Christmas Eve, we went over to Chris' parents house to celebrate with all of his family. The kids all had a ball playing together. Unfortunately, I lost my memory card and was unable to take any pictures. My mother-in-law cooked a wonderful meal as usual and then we opened gifts. We tried to leave in time to get all of our own stuff ready and had to go in search of a memory card.

After returning home from every drugstore in Lumberton, we had to prepare for Santa's arrival. We put out the reindeer food (glitter and trail mix on the lawn for the reindeer to spot our house), cookies and milk for Santa and the celery for the reindeer. Since we did not have any carrots on hand, we decided that reindeer really like celery better anyway. We then performed my family tradition of opening one gift. It was always so exciting to open a gift on Christmas Eve for my sister and I even though we always knew that it was pajamas. This is the year of superheros, so that is what Ethan received and Emerson received pajamas complete with a tutu...which she hated, by the way.

Before going to bed, we read the kids the Christmas story. It is a tradition in Chris' family to read it before opening gifts on Christmas morning. I loved the whole idea of it, but always felt so bad for those kids having to wait to rip open those presents! Needless to say, we are changing it up a bit! We started a new tradition this year as well. I bought the book Elf on a Shelf which comes with a little elf. You name the elf and he "moves" each night to a new location in your house. Ethan named ours Jeffrey because for the past two years, he has wanted me to have a baby and name him Jeffrey. If it was a girl, you guessed it, Jeffrey too. The children are not allowed to touch him and he is there to report to Santa. When I asked Ethan what he wanted for Christmas, he informed me that he already told Jeffrey.

Christmas morning...it gets more and more fun for Chris and I each year. Ethan woke up first and came to wake us up. He whispered to Chris, "Daddy, Santa really came!" It was so sweet not only him saying that, but trying not to wake Emerson and I. Apparently, Jeffrey told Santa that Ethan wanted a scooter that made fire. That was by far his favorite gift and Emerson's was her Barbie Jeep.

My mom and RT came on Christmas night, so to the kids, it was Christmas all over again! She always goes above and beyond! All in all, it was a great Christmas! I will try to do better at updating from now on!