Christmas 2010 began around Thanksgiving as we traveled north to family in Indiana. The weather grew colder and energized us all with that magical Christmas cheer that comes once a year. Here are a few snapshots of our Christmas season in a totally random order.
At only 8 months, little Maddie is our youngest Christmas Karaoke Diva! It's becoming a tradition to have a karaoke night on Christmas. Even Maddie joined in this year.
Todd, Brandon, and Ethan enjoy a hayride to the back field at the Christmas Tree farm. Our tradition requires a real tree every year. We found this rustic tree farm outside of town where we can chop down our own tree. It's not quite like Mike's memories of snow filled hikes up the mountain to find a tree, but we still have a good time. This year we brought home an 8 1/2 foot tree!
Isn't it great! We don't even need mistletoe anymore!
Our three handsome treasures- Brandon, Ethan, and Todd.
Pink and purple are usually Maddie's colors- after three boys pink and purple are a must- but this Christmas we discovered how adorable red is on our busy little crawling baby.
Christmas morning was so fun this year! Here are Brandon and Ethan enjoying a few of their Christmas gifts. In November we announced to the children that they would each only be receiving three gifts on Christmas morning- one from Santa, one from Dad, and one from Mom. Mike and I wanted to reduce the materialism in our home this Christmas season. The boys were definately unhappy with our decision at first, but when they understood that we wanted Christmas to be about the Savior and his life they calmed down- a bit. I think they were mostly just resigned to our decision. As Christmas morning drew closer I began to worry. I wanted them to have a happy Christmas. Nobody wants to see disappointment in their children's faces Christmas morning. So I was worrying because I couldn't afford the things they were asking for and I was only getting them a few gifts. But as they woke us and began opening gifts, it was obvious that each of our children were ecstatic at what they received- whatever it was. There was love and joy in our home as everyone hopped up and down, hugged, and ran crazy-like for several hours.
Lovely Lydia received her first hair cut in December. I cut it late one night after trying to comb through yet another tangle. Isn't she gorgeous!
Yes, this is Mike in a tutu! Funny isn't it, considering all the nasty glares we get when we attempt to have any hint of girliness on or near him or his boys during family skits. He even twirled for the entire ward. What has happened you ask? What indeed. I would like to know.
Brandon joined the choir this year- at his mother's nudging- and performed for the school the last day before break. He's a great singer and enjoys it so! He's the one in the light colored shirt- the only one because his mother bought the wrong kind of shirt.
Todd enjoyed his Christmas treat made at school before break. It was a crazy, crazy afternoon at Jack Elementary as everyone had parties and and presents and treats. The girls and I didn't know who to visit first! We flitted from one room to the next and then took three excited boys home with us.
And there are just a few of our Christmas moments this year. I could tell you about the cookies Mike made with his power drill and the secret stealthy Elfing we did. I could tell you how the boys delivered plates of cookies, rang doorbells, and then ran through the dark to hide giggling all the way. I could tell you about the crazy December afternoons we spent playing outside in 82 degree weather. I could tell you about choir practice. I could tell you about the double feature at the drive-in on Christmas night where the kids all sat in the front seats and Mike and I snuck a smooch in the back. What I can definately tell you is how magical and memorable Christmas 2010 has been! Hope you have all had a wonderful life this year as well!
