Christmas Past

I've not really been in the "mood" to do my Christmas post. For some reason it all went away the morning of the 26th. I've already started to pick up all the decorations. I can't bring myself to take down the tree - just love looking at it. I look at it and start thinking about what I will add to it next year. I remember all memories that go along with some of the ornaments. I have ornaments from the year I was born, bead/sequin ones that my great-grandmother made, new ones from our (me & Rick) life together and now a few from the kids. We have our first "made at school" ornament from Sydney this year. We had a great holiday though... full of fun and laughter. Christmas Eve we went to the Porter's house for a gathering of the five families. Allison & Cliff have opened their home to all of us for dinner and an ornament exchange for the kids. It's the 3rd year of doing this and it's FABULOUS! Imagine the stress of buying 10 more gifts to my already long list of 33. The kids run around in their pretty Christmas dresses, we all eat our fill, chat it up, and then the ornaments! It's so cute to see all those little girls (8) and the boys (one being "Baby Ryan") opening the tiny tissue wrapped ornaments. You'd think they just won the prize from a long days competition. They are all sooooo excited about each little bell or angel they got. It really is adorable. After that, we loaded up everything and heading back home. Ryan went to bed and Sydney & Rick threw out the Reindeer Food (oatmeal & glitter) for Santa's deer. Off to bed we all went...



Christmas Morning: me & Ryan woke up around 6ish. He wanted his bottle, then we hung out for about an hour. It was time to wake up the rest of the sleeping people. Oddly, it was a little hard dragging Sydney out of bed. I thought for sure she'd be the first one up, trying to get a peek at what Santa left under the little tree for her & Ryan.... nope. "Not yet!" was what we got. HAHA... that lasted a few minutes then she was good to go. The kids played with the gifts that Santa dropped off for them before opening the gifts that were under the tree from us and a few family members. I'll do an entry on Sydney's blog for all her "loot". The kids had a great time opening everything and got some really nice things. We are lucky to have such great family members. Although we had already done gifts with my parents while they were here for Ryan's b-day, they still had several things to open that were from Rick and I. Sydney was excited about her bike, and Ryan, well he didn't really care about much. He did enjoy rolling in the paper mess a few times and climbing on a few of the boxes. Overall... we were all made out well. Like every year, my brain has already cleared and I'm starting to think about the 33 on my list. Got the 10 ornaments today from Pier 1. Really pretty 8" snowman icicles, and at 50% off! Gotta love that.


Anyway... Happy Holidays! Hope 2009 is full of wonder for you and your loved ones.