The Holidays: Part 2

It seems like a year ago we celebrated Christmas, but in just two short weeks we've reclaimed our house and school has begun...and National Sales Meeting have happened. These are the markers of the new year for each of us.

CHRISTMAS EVE

The anticipation was in the air as we traveled to my parents home, thankfully just 20 minutes away. I am sure the promise of gifts to open at Nami and Papa's made the trip seem like hours to the kiddos.

It was en extra special Christmas Eve since it was the first in my parent's new home in Ada. The house was stunning (as was the meal and the company.).

The kids basically have Christmas morning #1 with my parents, since they are abundantly gifted, and usually with the toys that get the most amount of play! Here was the start of "Lego Christmas."

Elise was completely into opening gifts for the very first time. Not quite obsessed with ONLY the wrapping paper, but close. The best was her looking at each thing and praising every gift as, "CUTE!"

Clearly she was the cutest gift of them all.

Elise's favorite gift was a scooter so she could finally play like the big kids. She also got her very own plasma car so now our Spring will be fights free over the very well loved one that Ryan got for Christmas at about the same age. It was so warm after Christmas that the kids rode their scooters already (as did mommy since Ryan's new razor is pretty amazing.)

I usually have pics like this of Max and Ryan assembling things or fixing the vacuum. Elise was engrossed in trying to help...it's her new phase and we're embracing it big time.

When we got home after a dinner like no other, Ryan rushed to begin his letter to Santa. He planned it out in the car and then worked really hard on it.

The kids frosted cookies earlier in the day while I was at work and they were home with Max. And Elise waited patiently as Ryan finished his letter...her new cuddle buddy made sure she wasn't lonely.

CHRISTMAS MORNING

Believe it or not, the kids slept until 7pm which was a small miracle in and of itself. Ryan was very disciplined and waited for lights to be lit, coffee to be started and his little sister to join him in the excitement.

We've carried on a tradition my parents started on Christmas morning: Kids get called down to the tree, one step at a time. They were patient and so sweet.

Ryan savored every gift and was so grateful for everything. I was kinda amazed that a 6 year old could be so patient and excited for every gift. They even took turns back and forth.

Ryan opening his big gift from Santa: A Marble Run kit.

This year we tried something new and had a tri-pod and remote so we could capture all the Christmas action (and have proof that I actually was there.) It was a fun way to make sure we remembered the whole scene...and what a scene it was!

Gifts from Santa. Gifts from us. And so many presents from Max's family who couldn't join us. Everyone bought really thoughtful presents that mean a ton to us. Books, and art supplies, and games and so much more!

Elise was spoiled by Uncle B and Aunt Mal with 36 colors of play-dough. Who even knew they made that many colors? Funny enough, Uncle E and Auntie K got her a Jake and the Neverland Pirates play-dough tool kit. It was perfect!

It was a "What did the fox say" Christmas. He cousins got her the critter and we got her a sweater. Can't wait to capture her dancing to it with both!

Books, books and more books. This kid cannot get enough of them! I think they were among her most played with present in the week after Christmas.

We've managed to help Ryan rename his new critter, the Raccoon formerly known as "Cooney." It now goes by "Snappy." (Since Raccoons snap at you because they're not nice.) 

Max and his Christmas morning smile. It summarizes how perfect the morning was.

Clearly, at a point, Elise hit her quota of fun. Just liker he momma, she rallied. She always does.

And Lego Christmas continued...for days. And days. And still continues. The Raccoon approves of the build process.

This just kills me. She was so proud of herself and had such a great morning tooling around the house.

It was the Christmas of Cash Registers as well. Elise received two different kinds, which is awesome since she and Ryan like to play side-by-side (generally.)

A new tradition, a family portrait in all our just woke up Christmas Morning glory.

The kids are sporting their annual new Christmas jammies that they get from Nami on Christmas Eve. (Kir and I used to get the same things when we were kiddos.)

CHRISTMAS DAY

For me, this is what Christmas is all about. Traditionally we celebrate Christmas Day at our house with my family. And this year we were excited to welcome one of Max's players to the house since he was on his own for the day. I think the announcement of him coming was the most excited I'd seen Ryan on Christmas!

We looked over and caught Elise, lining up her critters new and old. I think it was her form of a mixer.

THE AFTERMATH

There was the normal over-tired, Christmas hangover, but all in all, the days following Christmas were spent rediscovering each new toy while lounging in jammies all day...most importantly, they were spent together making memories.

Elise is obsessed with her new shoes and won't take them off....even to sleep.

We have a set of MagnaTiles from when Ryan turned 4. Elise loves them but the kit had limitations...not anymore. Boy can this kid build. We may have two engineers in the family!

Check out the side triangles. No one in our house has ever thought of this until Elise. I cannot say enough about how wonderful this toy is! She also got some wood blocks for Christmas which she loves building up and knocking down.

And the Lego Christmas continues.

Ryan built this lego kit for ages 8-14. There was some frustration, but less than you'd expect. The next morning before we woke up, he built a set for 8-12 year olds all on is own. I woke up and he was sitting on the floor willing me to wake up, holding up the helicopter with the most proud look on his face.

It was a Christmas to remember. We hope everyone felt as equally loved and cherished as our family did this holiday. I know a lot of this blog features our kids with "stuff." But to me, it's the look on their faces, them sharing their gifts with one another and moments that we frequently had with Ryan in particular this year, where he would talk about the birth of Jesus and celebrating with family as the most important parts of Christmas.

Love to each of you,
Court, Max, Ryan + Elise