Another Christmas is in the books, as we now prepare for a new year. The week of Christmas brought us a cold spell, and some snow, so we hurried to get all our last minute shopping done before the weather came. It was nice to spend those last few days at home without as much hustle and bustle.
We usually go down to the Plaza for our Christmas Eve, but we decided it was too cold so we went to the Rye that is closer to our house. It was Festivus, and so we told the kids about that holiday, and we aired our grievances;). After dinner, we went home to open their pjs, and sibling gifts. Briley gave Atticus a new water bottle, Baylor gave Finley a box of goodies from Bath and Body Works, Finley gave Briley some new earrings, and Atticus gave Baylor a soccer ball. Atticus commented that none of them got toys this year. Seems we are transitioning out of that stage somewhat. Andy read T'was the Night Before Christmas, and then it was off to bed.
The kids let us sleep in this year, and we did not get up until 7:00. We walked out of our room to see them all sitting in the loft, waiting for us. They busted through the wrapping paper, and quickly began passing out presents. Santa brought Briley a new pair of shoes, and a coffee chiller, Baylor got his Jordans and an art supply kit, Finley got a ballet barre and a Beauty and the Beast pop up book, and Atticus got a science kit with a microscope and a Pokemon book with cards. I think Atticus would have been happy to have every present be Pokemon cards. It seems to be his new obsession. The kids also each got a piece of a puzzle that they put together at the end that told them that we are going to Beaver Creek for a ski trip. Andy always hopes for a big reaction, but it never happens. It takes awhile for them to put it all together, but they have been watching a lot of You Tube videos about the area, and have been talking about it constantly. They are all excited!
After presents, we had breakfast and then started to get ready to head back home. We made it back to Kirksville around 2, and had a visit from Santa before we went to Rick and Lisa's for dinner. We played Left Center Right again this year, and Billy took home the big prize. It always seems to be an entertaining game.
We went to Midnight Mass later that night, and it was so very cold. It has been awhile since we have had a Christmas that was this cold. The music was beautiful, but it went long again. We didn't get out of Church until 1:30am. I told Andy that the best feeling of all is when I get into bed after Midnight Mass. I'm so exhausted and cold by that point every year.
We got up the next morning around 8:30, and made our way to his parents house for presents. The kids all got oversized snuggies, and they have been wearing them on repeat since. The adults got new pillows like the ones at Big Cedar. We had a big breakfast, and then we went over to my Dad's house. The kids got a cubed maze where you have to get the little ball to the end, and it releases an opening where they got another puzzle piece. It took quite awhile, but we got enough pieces that they could put it together. My Dad got them tickets to a Blue's game in March! They each got Blues sweatshirts to go with it. They are all very excited to go to a hockey game. Amity and Billy gave them ski supplies. Briley and Baylor got super cool googles, and Finley and Atticus got ninja suits.
That night was dinner at Andy's parents house, and then we opened our sibling/cousin gifts before going to my Mom's. The next morning was our final Christmas. We opened presents, and ate an early dinner before Asa and Kelsey had to leave. I ended up having a large lymph node flare up, but no other symptoms. We later found out that I had Covid. It was a really weird symptom to get, but I seem to always get weird symptoms with it.
We came home on Tuesday, and we pretty much have everything put away. I love this time so much, but also love the calm that happens when it is all over. We had a lot of fun, and definitely some great memories were had.
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