We had a wonderful Christmas this year.
We rearranged the living room thanks to a visit to the brand new IKEA store... and put our tree in front of the windows in the living room. It's in the corner to the right when you walk in the front door. The kids loved putting up the tree and decorating it... and undecorating it... and watching Mom put up the ornaments again... and then undecorating... well, you get the idea. But what can you expect, they are two year old twin boys after all! Eddie was a big help in getting the ornaments on the tree and putting them back on (again). I almost had to get one of those gates to go around the tree but alas, the novelty wore off and we were able to enjoy our gate free tree. It was the perfect tree, Eddie picked it out himself... with just the right amount of ornaments although most of them were on the top third of the tree (out of reach of little hands).
Our festivities started at Kathy Murray's Annual Christmas Eve Party which is always great fun. This year, Santa Claus came and handed out presents to the kids. It was great to see the kids' eyes light up as Santa called out their names and gave them a gift! After Santa was the Yankee Swap which is really fun! This year, I forgot to bring a gift from Ed so he had to sit out this year. (Oops!) I got some awesome scrapbook stuff that Kelly brought. That was a good trade! The kids had a great time and were good and tired when we got home. We put Santa's cookies and milk out and made sure to leave the door to the chimney open so Santa wouldn't get stuck in there. We left some carrots out on the front steps for the reindeer. We also sprinkled some reindeer food on the front lawn for the reindeers. The secret to the reindeer food is that is has oats and glitter so as to guide the reindeers to our house both from the delicious aroma of the oats AND the sparkly beauty of our snow covered lawn. We put a sign out in the yard earlier in the day stating "Santa Welcome" that Eddie and I picked up at the Christmas Tree Shop. After all our "jobs" were done, the kids went to bed... Eddie not too sure if the big guy was going to come to our house or not (after a few threats from Mom and Dad that Santa didn't visit boys who don't listen, cooperate, etc).
"We are ready for Santa"
Eddie displaying the reindeer food:
At 7 am Christmas Day, Eddie came bursting into our room exclaiming that Santa had INDEED come to visit our house and not only that, but he left lots of presents! Eddie said he was pretty sure it was the sign and the reindeer food that brought them to our house. The kids opened their presents. Kevin and Ryan were REALLY into the unwrapping this year. Everyone was very happy with what Santa brought them. After the presents were opened, Dad went to pick up Nana and we all had some of the French Toast Casserole I put together the night before. It was quite yummy I might add. After breakfast, we all headed out to church. Eddie was so excited to show Nana where he goes to Sunday School. After church, we came home and put Kevin and Ryan in for a nap... then got started on dinner. We had a ham dinner with all the trimmings... it was delicious! Dad did a good job cooking. After dinner, we got down to some serious game playing! We all played Red Sox Monopoly until it got dark enough to look at Christmas lights. We all hopped in the van and went looking at lights. We got lots of ideas for our house next year. We dropped off Nana and came home to get ready for bed. It was a great day!
"He really DID come!"
"Wow! Blues Clues!"
Kevin and Mom doing puzzles
Ryan picks a present to open
