Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Christmas '08 - Rounds 1,2 & 3 (of 5)

When your family is spread out like ours, and everyone wants to get together around the holidays, Christmas gets a little crazy. And spread out over a few weeks. But oh, Christmas, how it gets better every year! I don't know if I'll be able to do it justice, there are so many good stories, but I'll attempt to cover some highlights.



On Christmas Eve, my mom and Greg joined Mel and us at our home to get things started. We went to church, which was actually not the usual for me, but it was really awesome. The service was beautiful and it was so crowded that we had to stand! There was something encouraging about being with all of those people in Christmas worship.


After our successful visit with Santa, we had a nervous run-in a couple of days later, so Katy was feeling unsure about the man in red. While we were eating dinner on Christmas Eve, Katy started acting scared and nervous. As I started to ask her questions, she finally confessed, "I no want Santa coming over. I scared. No Santa, Mommy!" So I picked her up and hugged her and assured her that Santa was not coming to our house. She was imagining that big scary man to just walk up to our front door, and she was terrified! So we didn't mention Santa on Christmas morning. We said all the presents were from us, and just left it at that. I guess we'll see where she is with it next year.

So we got up on Christmas morning and had a big ol' Blow Out of gift giving. I would've been embarrassed for any of you to see - I couldn't believe all the presents. But it was really fun. Brian surprised me with an Ipod and a docking station. I'm moving quickly into the 21st century!



Katy was 100% engaged in every gift that was opened - by every person. You could not open a gift without her "help." And she was SO excited for you - whatever you got!


David loved every minute. New toys, wrapping paper, lots of attention. That kid. He just smiles and smiles. There will be many pictures here where I just couldn't resist snapping away because he just melts my heart with that grin.




The biggest hits for Katy were her new laptop from Oma (she bought the one that several of you recommended), and the dress-up kit from us. I laughed hysterically when Brian said she looked like a princess who had stayed out too late at the ball.





After a nice low-key dinner and another day of relaxing, we went to my grandparents' house to see my clan. More good food, funny kids, and opening of boxes.







Next we headed back home to welcome Katy's cousins for more Christmas celebration! Food! Playing! And a trip to the Children's museum! And in case you get confused, that's my daughter in the pigtails. She tends to blend in with the other girls and just look like their 4th child!


Kimmy braved the high wire!




The girls get lost in the submarine.



I have a picture of Katy at this same water table 2 years ago.


And I couldn't believe how well David just chilled in the stroller! He was worn out.


After a couple of days to catch my breath: Round 4!! Coming soon!

4 comments:

Kelsey said...

I'm totally at a loss to do a holiday round up for us - I have no idea where to start.

I LOVE seeing all the pictures - both kids are looking so old! :-)

Giselle said...

Ugh...your kids are cute.

I don't know...I often (okay, every day) wish that we lived closer to family. Our closest relatives are 8 hours away. Unless you count my uncle and aunt who live 6 hours away. So we have very very quiet holidays unless we're willing to drive and pack up and do the whole she-bang. Which can be really sad, since holidays are really all about family togetherness. But I can see how it would be difficult in a whole different way to have to go to EVERYTHING with small children in tow. I guess there is no perfect world. ;) The holidays are hard no matter how you slice it.

Love love love your pictures...

Pam said...

What a fabulous time you all had. You're very lucky to have family so close and to have two gorgeous kids.Happy New Year to you all - and let Little Nemo begin! (he HAS NOT stopped saying "I go swimming with Katy?" since we told him)

Erin said...

This post was wonderful. I feel like I just GORGED myself on adorable kiddie pics. That David! Holy smokes! His smile is KILLER.

Glad you had a great Christmas. And I LOVED your wish for 2009 over at my last post. Hee! Can't wait to see you and FINALLY meet Katy and David (and Brian too!). And the wedding will be great as well ;-)