Christmas 2008

Despite all of the frustrations we have had this year, this Christmas was probably one of the best Christmas' that Jeremy and I have had since we were married. The only thing missing was family. It can't be a perfect Christmas when you are 1600 miles from home and family. But still, it was a nice day. On Christmas Eve, we took the kids to see Madagascar II. We were the only ones in the theater and it was great. After, we took bread to our neighbors and wished them a Merry Christmas. After dinner, each of the kids opened one present. Unfortunately, they could only open the one mom gave them, and certain children were not very happy about this...

Sure enough, they each received pajamas (not much of surprise there). The kids had a terrible time falling asleep that night and they all woke up multiple times during the night. Sam & Livie because they were excited and Nate is still teething.

Christmas morning, Sam found a Clone Trooper costume and Light Saber to go with it.

Santa brought Livie a CD player with a microphone so she can sing for us. She is always singing.

And Nathan received a Ball Pit.

A few days before Christmas, we took the kids to the dollar store and let them buy a gift for each member of the family. It has become one of their favorite traditions. They get so excited and love to wrap each present themselves. The kids gave me measuring cups and a little porcelain bear. And Jeremy received...

To fully understand this picture, you would have to know my OCD husband. Obviously, my kids know what their dad likes... a Lint Roller and Smudge Cleaners for fingerprints. Of course, he loved them!

If we had been home for Christmas, we would have gone to dinner on Christmas Eve with Jeremy's extended family. On Christmas morning, we would have opened presents at our home and then gone to my parents home for Christmas breakfast. Afterwards, we would have had Christmas dinner with Jeremy's parents and finished it off with dessert at my grandparents. I know it sounds crazy and hectic, but I love every minute of it. I can't stand the thought of staying home all day on Christmas, so we tried to make the most of it. I made a Christmas breakfast of waffles, eggs and bacon. We called home, cleaned up a little, took a short nap and then headed over to Keith & Jenny's house to eat a yummy ham dinner and play games all night. It was a nice day. Sunny and bright and shared with good friends.