O Christmas Tree

It feels like Christmas is rushing me this year. Maybe because Thanksgiving was so late? So we tried to get started on the Christmas decorations last Sunday. We successfully got the tree up and decorated but it took the rest of the week to get the other things out.

I love this tree. It's super skinny and fits perfectly in my small living room. We may have more ornaments than a tree of this size can accommodate but what can you do? We can't leave any off! We do try and balance them out so the tree doesn't fall over!

Christmas, Christmas, Christmas!

Grandma Tina was afraid that we would not have anything to do on Christmas Eve so she thought up some games and a FHE lesson and a craft that the kids L.O.V.E.D. That is in addition to all the amazing food that she made for us to consume.

The Mitten/snowball/spoon relay was the favorite of all.

Another tradition: New Jammies.

Oldest to youngest: Drama, Pooh Bear, cousin E-man, cousin Roo, the Boss, & Bea.

Christmas morning brought many smiles, happy faces and happy children. 

With a new mountain bike for Drama (adult size)...

an Ipod touch for Pooh Bear... 

Princess dresses for the Boss...

and Pop-on pals for Bea...

 

Best garbage bag ever. It started as a bike gift bag but Drama's bike didn't fit. This year Grandpa only hauled one garbage bag to the curb. I don't think his garbage men like him very much anymore...

Poor, Dad. I think he is worn out from all the fun. He spent a lot of time in this position...

Christmas Eve Bowling

Christmas was a whole lot of fun this year. We went up to Grandma Tina's and Grandpa Phil's Christmas Eve. We got there just in time for bowling with the cousins. My little brother thought up this tradition long ago and it is still just as much fun as when we were all younger.

Bea didn't really get the whole bowling thing...

Drama and her cousin E-man comparing scores, intensely....

Pooh Bear looking for that elusive strike...

Me, tolerating the annoying paparazzi (a.k.a Mark. It's one thing for me to be in everyone's face, but I have to draw the line somewhere.)...

The Boss, well, the Boss is just the Boss. Apparently, she too is hounded by paparazzi...

As always, Bea takes a lot of hands to keep her out of trouble...

Pooh Bear and cousin E-man showing off their amazing bowling shoes...

Cheering everyone on...

We had a ton of fun, thanks for letting us come!!!

Christmas Oh - Nine

We had a wonderful Christmas in oh-nine. Grandma and Grandpa Van Horn stayed with us Christmas Eve and shared in the chaotic magic of Christmas morn. Some of the highlights include ALL the food that was consumed in the 30ish hours we where all together. Christmas Eve dinner was our "traditional Italian" feast (Italians eat a 7 fish dinner on Christmas Eve but that is 7 fish too many for me). We had melon wrapped in prosciutto and bruschetta antipasti. Dinner was homemade ragu with penne pasta, rosemary bread, Caesar salad with homemade Ceasar dressing (yummo), braciole, and a very mormon tiramisu for dessert.

The girls got everything they could ever want, Christmas morning. Drama and Pooh Bear got American Girl pets with ALL FOUR ACCESSORIES! Bless you Santa.

The Boss got a tool set. Everyone fights over loves it.

Aria got stuff that she doesn't really care about, but she's happy with everything. In fact she was asleep for most of the festivities!

For breakfast we had Mark's childhood favorite, candy cane bread with yummy fillings and frosting on top and Grandpa Van Horn's delicious (and oh so non-diet, non-heart friendly scrambled eggs.)

Christmas dinner was Ham, funeral potatoes, rolls, salad, asparagus and apple pie for dessert.

I was so tired by the end of the day. that might have had something to do wiht the marathon LEGO Rockband session we had going on (my first time playing the drums, which is really fun if you are on the super easy mode lego rockband has;))

Even though, as a mom, Christmas is way more stressful than it really should be with all the magic making going on, I finally got into the spirit just in time to have a wonderful Christmas with my wonderful family. I have thought so many times this year how very grateful I am for my family. I am so blessed to have so many people to love and that love me back.