Our Christmas eve was Saturday night and we went to eat at Q39 for dinner. Such a yummy treat for us all. The kids exchanged their sibling gifts when we got home, and opened their pjs. Briley got Atticus an interactive fire truck, Atticus got Briley putty, Baylor got Finley a yoyo, watch, and putty, and Finley got Baylor a glow in the dark sand kit. Everyone was excited about giving their gifts. After they got in their pjs, Andy read T'was the Night Before Christmas and they got the food out for Santa and his reindeer before going to bed. The kids were all so excited as they went off to bed in anticipation of what Santa might bring them in the morning. One of the best parts of being a parent is experiencing Christmas with them.
The next morning we awoke to the sounds of a snow plow. I got up and opened our curtain to reveal that it had snowed the night before! What a magical surprise to have snow on Christmas! Andy went out to take pictures of the house covered in snow while the kids waited impatiently upstairs for us to tell them it was time to come down. When Andy got back in they rushed downstairs and into the living room to see the gifts that awaited them. Briley was so excited to get her new bike. I'm sure she will be begging to ride it to school regardless of the weather. Baylor's big gift was he gets to go to Kamp Kanakuk this summer. He has been begging to go with Briley for a couple of years now. Big hugs were given for that gift. Atticus opened his first gift which was a boat, and he didn't really care to open anything else. Finley has been happily playing with her easel and art supplies.
The kids also got a giant swing for our oak tree outside, and a hockey set. Now the weather needs to warm up so they can go out and enjoy them!
I made breakfast while the kids went outside to play in the snow for awhile before we got packed up to go to Kirksville. They weren't outside for too long as it was so cold. They came in for hot chocolate, german pancakes, and bacon. We got things cleaned up, and made our way to Kirksville.
That night we had a visitor from Santa. After visiting with him we went to my Uncle's for dinner and to exchange gifts. My sister face timed us all so it was nice to talk to her on Christmas Eve.
After awhile we went back to get ready for Midnight Mass. It was a cold one this year, but the Church was warm. Music was beautiful as it always is. After it was over it was back to the cold and the drive back to Kirksville. I couldn't wait to get my pjs on and get snuggled into bed.
The next morning we had Christmas with Andy's family before going to my Dad's to celebrate. Andy was excited to get a snowblower now that we have so much side walk and driveway to clear, Briley got an Echo dot for her room, Baylor got an ATM piggy bank that he has enjoyed playing with, Finley got a scooter that she can't wait to ride, and Atticus loves his trucks. Sometimes the smallest gifts are often times my favorite. This year it was a Little Blue Truck ornament as a reminder of how quickly our kids grow up. There is always a last time for everything. Right now Atticus is obsessed with Thomas and Little Blue Truck, but in a blink of an eye that will be gone, and we will be on to legos. The girls also got dollhouses that stay at Grandma and Papa's and they spent a good portion of the day playing with those.
We went to my Dad's for a little while that afternoon. He wasn't feeling the best so we didn't want to stay too long but we exchanged gifts, and had some cinnamon rolls to eat. He gave the kids binoculars for our upcoming trip to Costa Rica and some new Mizzou gear. They also got gymnastics classes from Am and Asa. That is always a fun winter activity.
That night we had dinner with Andy's family and my Mom, Jeff, Asa, and Kelsey came over too. The food was so good, and I ate way too much. After dinner we opened sibling/cousin gifts before going to my Mom's to spend the night.
The next morning was Christmas at my Mom's with Santa visiting for the last time. The kids got Hatchimals that they were excited about. I got some new things to decorate the house, and gift cards to buy new tile for our upstairs bathrooms. I'm excited to get our upstairs projects started later this winter. The kids are so ready to get their rooms painted.
Jeff went to get Grandma to spend the day with us. She seemed very confused this trip. It went so smoothly over Thanksgiving, but was not the case on Christmas. Makes me so sad to see her so upset. The kids did a great job stepping in to comfort her, and help her open her presents.
We decided to stay until Thursday so that we could see the Sedlaks and Bobziens come into to town. The kids alway like spending time with their cousins. My Mom also got me a massage that was so wonderful. It has been a year since I got one, and it was truly wonderful. Thanks Mom for the special treat! I need to take time for that more often.
We came home on Thursday and Andy was not feeling well so I drove. We got home, unloaded the car, and then he went to bed for three days. He was sicker than I think I have ever seen him. He stayed in our room, and I slept upstairs with the kids. We decided to cancel our New Year's Party which was a bummer, but after sending out the email canceling I got responses from two families telling me they are sick too. I guess it is best we all stay home and get better.
Hard to believe that the Christmas season is coming to a close, along with 2017. So many wonderful memories were made. Too many pictures posted, but I have such a hard time choosing!
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