As you know, Christmas was much nicer and more relaxed this year. We kept things simple and focused on family time. Because of Christmas falling on a Sunday, we rearranged a few things this year so that we could focus on both family and church equally. Being a Pastor's family - Russ and I never want the kids to grow up resenting church - but enjoying it. So instead of trying to fit church into our traditions, we just moved them around a bit. It really made for a restful holiday.
We always get together with my brother's family on Christmas Eve. This year, because we had a Christmas Eve service at church, our Christmas Eve came a day early. We celebrated on Friday night. We had our usual Lasagne Dinner with Marc, Sam and Chloe, along with a time of opening presents, playing games and Marc staying late so I could help him wrap his gifts for Sam and he help us with the kids presents. This year he was helping us download about 1000 songs on to a new (to him) IPOD for Jarod. But I am getting ahead of myself.....
All smiles at dinner
LOVE this girl! She is so funny and such a joy! Now that she is 2 - she can really contribute to our family times. She cracks us up!
Sneaking into the picture with Uncle Marc and Aunt Sam
Ooooh! Micky Mouse books and PJ's!!! Fun stuff!!!
Having a picnic with mommy with her new picnic basket. I think it was a hit!
Chloe played with her new toys while the rest of us played a Disney Trivia Game for the evening. So much fun! It was a great evening.
Marc left and took his family home and then came back with Anne's special gift because since we had Christmas Eve a day early - we decided to go ahead and have Christmas morning a day early too! So, he brought her gift back and then stuck around and helped us with Jarod's. When the kids got up on Saturday morning - the tree looked like this.
Anne wanted and needed a new bike this year. She has completely outgrown her old one. Jarod received a Camelbak Back Pack for his Scout Trips. (Lower left)
It's a really cool backpack that also has a "bladder" in it to carry
water. It has a special tubing attached so he can stay hydrated while
he hikes.
She was quite excited!
What Jarod didn't know was that tucked away in the pockets of the backpack was his dad's old IPOD fully loaded with songs (thanks Marc) and ready to go! Russ decided that Jarod would use it far more than he has so he passed it along. As you can see - he was thrilled!
One of Anne's favorite gifts was that stuffed monkey from Sasha - she is soooo into monkeys right now!
Both kids received new robes and slippers as well.
LOVE Anne's cupcakes!
Ready to ride!!!!
Sharing the tunes!
Because we were leaving early Monday morning for vacation, having Christmas morning on Saturday enabled the kids to enjoy their things all day before we went to our Christmas Eve Service that night.
When we woke up on Christmas morning, we went to church as normal without having to try and rush through gifts, etc. And then we went straight to Nana and Papa's after church to enjoy yet another time with family.
Our Great Niece, Corrie
How cute are they?
Anne has had her eye on this doll for a while! Thanks Nana!
This was Jarod's big gift from Nana and Papa. We came home that night and while we packed, he put it all together and had it running that evening! So cool!
So that's our Christmas in a nutshell. So thankful for the restful time with family. I can honestly say that this was the best Christmas in a long time as far as stress is concerned. There really is a peace at Christmas and with my new heart attitude, I really was able to thoroughly enjoy it. It's hard to believe it's over already and we are in to a New Year. Very excited to see what 2012 is going to bring.
Now..... on to our vacation!
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