Christmas

I have to say that Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday, its such a magical time of year. I love everything about it. We started a new tradition this year. We adopted an elf, that the kids named Nixon...you know from "elf on the shelf". He arrived the day after thanksgiving and he was sent here by Santa Clause to watch over the children so that he could report back to the North pole each night and let Santa know if they were naughty or nice.
Nixon was a big hit in our house. He hid in a new place every morning, and sometimes Nixon was naughty and got into things. For example he toilet papered the Christmas tree, got into the cereal and made a big mess, and wrote on the kids faces with marker! Silly elf! Sometimes, he even left them a little something special if they had been behaving really well. So much fun! Nixon had to say goodbye on Christmas eve but assured the kids through a letter that he will be returning next year!

Christmas eve we always spend with tons of family at my husbands Aunts house, and we always look forward to it. Lots of food, great conversation, and plenty of children running about! This year was no different. We had a blast. However, I have to admit there was a moment during the kids gift opening that I nearly crawled under the table and was hoping not to be seen. Veda, as most of you know is a very honest, out spoken little girl.....much like her mommy. Well, she opened a gift that was a cabbage patch doll....and the look of sheer disgust filled her face as she blurted out... " I don't like this mommy" Oy Veh!! What do you say to that?? I was mortified. Luckily, her Aunt Heather, who purchased the doll was not offended and explained to Veda why she had picked this very special doll for her. Needless to say, she grew to like her new doll. I had to later have a talk with her about how we need to be thankful for gifts and such. It was a hard conversation because she didn't mean to be nasty and it upset her when I told her that she could have hurt Aunt Heather's feelings.

Speaking of gift giving. Although I don't consider myself to be a religious person, I am teaching my children the true meaning of Christmas. Veda and I baked a cake in honor of Jesus birthday. She was delighted and couldn't wait to share it with family and tell them the story behind it. I'm so proud of her in her understanding of the story.

Christmas morning came fast and furious! The kids were up around 8 and dying to open their treasures that were brought from Santa. We always let them open their stockings and play with the gifts that weren't wrapped until Nana and Papa arrive. Once they arrive, its game on! Veda was delighted to see that Santa brought her a doodle bear and La la loopsy doll that she asked for. Her big gift from us this year was a doll house and she loves it. I am enjoying it just as much as her!! Grayson was really into it which surprised me. When Veda was his age she could have cared less about opening presents. He loves playing with his tool bench and basketball hoop. Christmas was a success!

Hubby is blessed to work in a place that shuts down between Christmas and New Years and has had the week off to spend with family. Its been wonderful having everyone home. We get to enjoy coffee and breakfast together every morning and play with the kids. Perfect in every way. I will be extremely sad on Tuesday when he returns to work.

In other news, I'm in the 14th week of pregnancy and everything is going great. I am started to gain more energy and I think I have even felt a little flutter or two! How exciting!! We found out during my first trimester screening that we are probably expecting another little boy!! Yay!! This will be confirmed sometime in February at our big ultrasound. Nonetheless, I will be thrilled with whatever gender is growing in my belly!

finally, here are a few pictures taken from the holidays!