2008 Edition Christmas Blog Entry

On Christmas Eve, Summer helped me put out milk and cookies for Santa, and then the girls got in bed quickly so that Santa could come. Joe and I decided that Santa would wrap all of the presents this year, so after they were in bed, he and I and my brother Wes sat around and wrapped.


In the morning, we got up around 8:30 and went into the girls' room. Yes, I know... this might be the last year until they're teenagers that we get to sleep that late on Christmas! They were already waking up and when we reminded them about Santa Claus, they got very excited and Summer ran past me to go into the living room. She was a bit overwhelmed when she saw all of the presents, and was very happy to see that Santa ate the cookies and milk that she left him!




I can't explain how fun Christmas is now that she somewhat understands Santa Claus and all of the magic of it. I can't wait till next year when Camryn understands it, too.

They enjoyed opening presents and seemed excited over everything they got. Santa gave them the majority of their gifts, and Joe and I gave them each one plus one that was for both of them.

Summer put her princess dress on right away and wouldn't take it off for awhile.




Joe and I decided before Christmas that his gift would be new work boots. He got me a digital photo key chain, and totally surprised me by putting a bottle of the perfume I've been dying to have in my stocking! Next time you're near the perfume section in the store, go smell Viva la Juicy by Juicy Couture. It is wonderful. I feel bad that I didn't get him anything else since he got that for me, but Valentine's Day is soon so I'll make up for it then.

Here's all the loot:



They were sitting on the back of the tricycle.


Everything about this year's Christmas was great, except for the fact that my mom was sick. She caught some horrible stomach bug from my grandmother and was way too sick to go anywhere or have company on Christmas. It was weird not seeing my mom on Christmas. We're planning on making up for it on Sunday though. We're going over to my parents' house Sunday morning for our annual Christmas Quiche, and to open gifts. She's coming over here in a few minutes as well, to see us (mainly Summer and Camryn!) and to see their new toys. My dad did come over Christmas morning to visit for awhile, though.




Around 2pm we went over to my aunt's house to celebrate Christmas with my mom's side of the family. It was a lot of fun. Mainly because my cousin Libby and I kicked Joe and my cousin Nathan's butts in fooseball. There isn't much that I'm better at Joe at ever, so I've been mentioning that every chance I get.


Libby and Summer:


After my aunt's, we went to Joe's dad's house. We ate another meal and opened gifts. As usual, Summer and Camryn were totally spoiled. They got a dollhouse, which they have been absolutely loving.

Summer and Camryn opening their dollhouse with Aunt Nicole:



We walked into the living room to find that Summer had gotten into Xavier's swing all by herself.


That wraps up the 2008 Christmas Edition Blog Entry. I hope you all had as great of a Christmas as we did!

How shall I summarize this?

I am in total heaven right now. I'm laying in bed, with my heating pad under my back, watching Little People Big World, eating a ginormous bowl of neopolitan ice cream covered in mini-marshmallows, and blogging.

Today was a good day. I got plenty of sleep last night, and the kids were good for most of the day. My friend Nicole stopped by this evening to bring Summer and Camryn their Christmas presents. She gave them each 2 pairs of shoes, and then they got a Blue's Clues thing, where a stuffed Blue and her stuffed baby brother talk when you push their stomachs and you can play hide and go seek with them. They also got a big stuffed Winnie the Pooh and a Baby Einstein play center thing. It's really cute. Nicole spoils them a lot :-) She works at a Target that isn't close to our house, and they have different sales there. When their kid shoes went on clearance this past month, she loaded up. My kids have as many shoes as Suri Cruise at this point.

It was COLD today. I believe the high was in the 20's, but the wind chill was probably -10. I was only outside long enough to take the trash and recycling out but that was enough for me. Poor Joe, he had to work outside for more than half the day. I think tomorrow is supposed to be a bit warmer and then it should be in the 40's on Christmas.

Joe and I have a debate going, and I'd love your input. Joe wants Santa to wrap his gifts. Santa always wrapped gifts in his family. In my family, Santa's gifts were not wrapped. I think there is something about walking in on Christmas morning and seeing a bunch of new toys sitting around the tree that Santa left for you. Seeing wrapped gifts... not so much of an effect. But maybe I'm wrong... all I know is we better hurry up and decide.

I shall leave you with the fire that I enjoyed most of the day today.