-had a quick visit from mom for Cousin Ems' wedding*
-ate @ Work Dinner
-datenighted A Christmas Carol*
-mailed Christmas cards
-delivered Christmas goodies (this year, a microwave bag of popcorn w/ "Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Get a SHOW" + a free redbox code on it)
-attended piano recital
-did 12 Days of Christmas
-ate too many donuts at Church Christmas Breakfast
-had a Christmas sing-along w/ friends
-got together w/ 3 old roommates!! (where WERE our cameras???)
-attended tithing settlement
-watched 3rd season of Downton Abbey
-made gingerbread houses w/ cousins, and
-wrapped*, shopped, cleaned, and wrapped* in every spare(?) minute
(* denotes events that brought on tears--usually of joy, but I'll leave it to individual interpretation)
ALSO, amid all the excitement, my friend, to thank me for watching her kids lately, and to surprise me w/ a break took me to my FIRST EVER PEDICURE!!! And, I nearly cried again--first from nervousness--thank goodness I shaved that day!!--and then from pure bliss--I didn't even care that I amazed sweet Tina w/ my callouses--it was SO nice!
Then, resolved to not enter a store for at least 48 hours, we cozied up here at home on Christmas Eve, finished cleaning and cooking everything up while Brian miraculously gifted me an enclosed shower (we had some real steam-escaping problems, so he plexiglassed the top!). I did so well at staying at home, that I lost my keys, and since I didn't realize it until after garbage collection day, I will never know for sure what happened to them, but I'm fairly positive they were thrown away in some little cleaning rush--either from the cold van or the too-close countertops, but fortunately, I have been SO relieved of stress that it hasn't bothered me nearly as much as it otherwise would--AND they had an Atlanta Braves keychain at Wal-Mart!!
We watched Elf while we finished up laundry, enjoyed a google chat w/ the Mildenhall gang (sans R&B), and then dug into our turkey feast--and thanks to the goodies we've been swimming in, we had a cheese ball to start, and I didn't even make dessert!! We started w/ a pickle tray and cheese/crackers, then a warm bacon and spinach salad course, followed by turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, beans and pomegranate salad :). The children worked hard on their Nativity costumes while I worked hard on not grumbling over so many dishes (some habits die hard :) ), and then we read scriptures and sang songs of Christ's birth before opening pajamas. As long as we referred to the angel as "Princess Angel" there was no haggling over parts :).
It had snowed all day, so so much microfleece was much welcomed, and Grandma Stewart spoiled us all w/ crocheted slippers again this year, which were promptly tested out on the newly mopped floor:
The older children all gathered in the basement to sleep, but there were enough sniffles going around to keep them from an all-nighter. We decided that Lucy's wakening was to be our "Alarm clock" and though they tried much noise-making and ceiling banging, she slept happily until nearly 8! We leisurely opened gifts together: more arrows for their pvc bows, kinect games, clothes, duffel bags, and 72-hr kits :), toys, etc., then there was cinnamon rolls, breakfast casserole, and stocking food to keep everyone occupied all day. While the kids went downstairs for "Wipeout," I started reading, and soon SLEPT and SLEPT!!--all of that Christmas craziness just dreamt itself away, and I just basked in the relief of not having "one more thing" left to think about or do.
read books, had airsoft wars (if you're a 13 year old boy), played a lot of duets (if you're Emily or Maddie), had bow and arrow battles, finished a fun BYU puzzle, stayed in pajamas a lot, made a lot of warm cider, shoveled snow, and just enjoyed having such a free schedule, hearing Lucy say "Lalaloopsy" and being together. I am loath to see it end, but SO grateful while it's lasted! Hope you're all having equally cozy happy times!
