Well, my post for Christmas never happened. And while I'm fessing up to things, my New Year's post didn't happen either. So I'll do a quick re-cap of all of the festivities.
It all started the weekend after Thanksgiving when I forced all of us on a family excursion to find the perfect tree. Our foyer is easily 25 feet tall and in it there is a perfect spot for a gigantic tree. This house was built for the tree - trust me. And to give Nick credit, he really strives to out-do himself every year. This year, the tree wasn't quite as big as it's been in the past, but it was straight - and that's a difficult feat in itself. We didn't even scream or yell or cuss at each other trying to put it up. So the only way to get this huge thing home was to put it on top of the jeep, because it wasn't going on top of my new car. Clark Griswold style. It was pretty hilarious.
The week before school got out we headed to NOLA for the Stander Family Christmas Party. It's a tradition the Stander's all get together and sing Christmas carols and eat way too much really, really good food. It was a quick trip. We got to see the DC Stander's and do Christmas with them before we all parted ways for another couple months - really need to see them more often.
Clark and his 13 foot tree
I can't believe this is the only picture I got of the tree.
The week before school got out we headed to NOLA for the Stander Family Christmas Party. It's a tradition the Stander's all get together and sing Christmas carols and eat way too much really, really good food. It was a quick trip. We got to see the DC Stander's and do Christmas with them before we all parted ways for another couple months - really need to see them more often.
School didn't get out until Dec. 21st, so there really wasn't any time to do anything fun or go anywhere before Christmas this year. Nick and I decided when the kids were little that no matter what, we spend Christmas morning at home. It doesn't seem fair to them to strap them in a carseat for hours and hours while the toys they just opened (or have yet to be opened) are sitting back at their house. So we go to mass on Christmas Eve, come home and get ready for the Fat Man to come. I have to admit, the kids were a little nervous this year. We might as well not even had an Elf on the Shelf. Belly didn't do anything to stop their behavior or remind them the season was about things other than presents and toys and excess. I think good ole Belly might retire for a year or two - he was pretty worthless this year. Christmas morning happened in a flash - view the carnage below. Before we knew it everything was opened, being pulled out of the boxes and disassembled by the time I turned the camera on. At least they didn't wake us up at 5 AM like I used to do to my parents.
Caught this halfway in to them ripping into the first gift
And just like that - it's over.
Sam got an air hockey table.
They got other stuff too, but those were the big hits this year.
We spent New Years in Alabama and drove home on the 1st. We got to visit. Shop. Eat. The best part is that the kids sleep with the g-parents so Nick and I slept in until 9 almost every day. It was nice.
Sam started school on the 7th. Caroline on the 8th. It was nice to have some routine this week. Not so nice to get up at the crack of dawn, but getting back to normal was good for us.
Now to get all these Christmas decorations down...
This is my favorite part of the holidays. My grandmother crocheted this a long time ago and it fits my round dining room table perfectly. It's old so I only bring it out for Easter and Thanksgiving/Christmas and I will totally cut someone if they spill anything on it. Luckily that hasn't happened yet. :)
