Christmas 2020 was definitely one of the top highlights from the year with time spent forgetting about all the things going on in the world, and instead breaking all kinds of rules to spend time with the people we love.
The kids finished up school on Tuesday, and my sister flew in late that night. She was just here in October, but it was still so good to have her back for Christmas. We spent Wednesday preparing for Christmas with cookie making, reindeer food, last minute wrapping, sibling gift exchange, and our fancy dinner on the Plaza. We debated whether or not we should do dinner out, but the kids kept talking about how excited they were to see the lights so we went. So glad we did! Rye was the perfect place to watch the snow coming down outside while we ate. Usually we walk around the Plaza after dinner, but this year was too cold so off to the car we went. When we got home, the kids opened their sibling gifts. Finley gave Briley a yard long Twix, apple candy lotion, and a face mask, Briley gave Finley a microphone, Baylor gave Atticus a Chiefs football and color changing Cars, and Atticus gave Baylor an RC Lamborghini.
Wednesday morning was our Christmas at home. We could hear the kids moving around at 5:30, but we made them stay upstairs until 6:30. Andy and I rolled out of bed, got the lights and music on, and the coffee going before we let them plow through the wrapping paper. We were told that it was the best Christmas ever, and I think that is their response every year. It is best to tell them it is going to be a "hard candy Christmas" each year so the bar is set low. Makes them much more excited when the day comes. Briley got a new phone, and I made sure to hide it so that it was the last present she opened. She was so excited when the gifts were all opened, and then I pulled it out from under the tree. Baylor got a new Garmin watch to track all of his activities, and to know what time to come home when he goes off to play with friends. He also got a drone that he is itching to fly, but the weather hasn't been cooperative just yet. Finley got a trunk which means she gets to go to Kamp this summer. One happy girl about that! She also got a new bike that she has already taken on a few rides. Atticus got a new bike and a Big Mac Truck. Santa also brought them a Griswold sled that they are so excited to test out.
We had German pancakes for breakfast, and they got a few hours of playing with their new toys before we loaded up the car and made our way to Kirksville to celebrate with our families there. We had a quick visit from Santa at Grandma and Papa's house, and then we went to Rick and Lisa's for dinner. The kids got all kinds of fun things that they were excited about, and we gave Rick and Lisa a foot massager that was a hit with all the adults. After we left their house, we got ready for Midnight Mass. This was something that we didn't know if it would happen, but we were able to get reservations. Some were very excited while others would have preferred to go to bed early. It was a really cold night, but worth it to hear the music at Church. I fell asleep on the way back from Mass which is something I never do, but we had several late nights and early mornings along with worrying about Miss Viva that I just was exhausted. We got everyone tucked into bed shortly after 2:00am.
The next morning we got up around 8:30 and went to celebrate Christmas with the Early side. Andy and I got a baby Jesus from the Holy Land that was very sweet, we also got a cute picture of Viva that made everyone sad since she is not doing well, and Briley got her nativity made by Papa this year. The kids also got blankets that they all love snuggling with. After a yummy breakfast, we went over to my Dad's for lunch and to open gifts there. The big hit there was hoverboards! The kids were ecstatic, and they have been playing with them nonstop.
After that we finally got around to getting dressed for the day, and went back to Andy's parent's for a delicious dinner. We then opened up cousin and sibling gifts there before going back to my Mom's for Christmas there the next morning. Nothing is more exciting than getting into bed after Christmas day.
Santa came again on Saturday morning and we opened gifts at my Mom's. Finley and Baylor got new merch that they are very happy about, Briley got new tennis shoes because she just doesn't have enough, and Atticus got all kinds of Matchbox cars and a suitcase to put them all in. Later that afternoon, we went to watch Sara and Lissy serenade us with Dolly and Kenny songs. Their performance was one of the best surprises of the trip. That night we had a steak dinner made by Andy, and it was so good. Perfect way to end the Christmas.
We left Kirksville on Monday with every inch of the car packed. We got everything unpacked and then we ordered Joe's for dinner when we got home. Amity left the next day, and we were glad she was able to get out with the nasty weather we had. Happy she was able to come for Christmas, and that we got some wedding things accomplished.
We celebrated New Year's with the Brawners, Lissy, and Bella. We had another yummy steak dinner. Andy is really perfecting his cooking. Bella and Briley made a New Year's cake that was fun. We played Kids Against Maturity, and celebrated with New York, and then some of us celebrated again at midnight. Many people feel that 2020 was a bad year, and in some ways it was, but there was also a lot of good memories that we had. The Chiefs won the Super Bowl, we had our first family vacation to California, Gabbie was born, Kaitlin is cancer free, we had days out boating with friends, movie nights in our yard, the Brawners became our neighbors, camping in the yard, beach vacation, lots of trips to see grandparents, and new experiences here in our own hometown. Cheers to 2021 and all the new memories that will be made.
2 comments:
i love it
i love it
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