Christmas 2011

The suburban was loaded up, suitcases packed, presents all wrapped, Mickey Mouse Christmas Sing Along DVD playing, and the sweet smell of baked goods teased us for the 5.5 hours ahead. Home for Christmas it was!

Getting to spend Christmas with the family in the same house I have decades of wonderful Christmas memories in is very special to me. Love me my traditions. This year with Jack being 2 years old, well let's just say I was pumped for Christmas. Jack loves (obsessed with) Christmas trees and can't get enough of the Christmas cookies and music and Santa, so I could only imagine what he was going to do when he rushed down the stairs Christmas morning and saw the Christmas tree spilling with brightly covered presents (we will get to that later on).

Arriving a day early meant we had to time to visit Santa at the Ice House Mall. Again, I couldn't wait to see Jack's expression as he got to meet the real Santa Clause! Jack wouldn't even attempt to sit on his lap. Stinker. But Santa was sweet and took a group shot!

On Christmas Eve the rest of the family drove down from Wisconsin. It was my first time in 3 years getting attend Christmas Eve service at Willow with the family and I was pretty excited to sing "Silent Night" with everyone. Willow Creek had a great service, of course Mike and I watched it from the lobby as Jack marched up on down the many staircases. But we spent it together as a family so that is what matters!

With church running later into the night it didn't make sense to have someone stay behind to cook the ham, so our family started the tradition of serving Christmas Eve appetizers, and lots of them. This year I brought the sweets because I was on a baking binge and they were the easiest to travel with. I made way too many as no one is ever hungry enough for dessert after all of the dinner apps. After eating we move onto presents. Opening presents on Christmas Eve is another change we made about 6 years ago. My mom grew up opening presents on Christmas Eve, so after 20+ years my Dad gave in. This year we changed things up again and only opened up about half of the gifts because I wanted there to be Jack's presents under the tree in the morning...and because we all go over board gifting for one another and the love gestures go on for hours making it a very late night.

The Girls

The Guys

MarBear always does a fabulous job with the Christmas decor. 

Oma and Opa's little Buddy. 

Neither our child or dog would sit for a photo opp. Sam stepped in. 

Amazed

Huge fan of Christmas Appetizers

Fading Fast

My "BeerDeer" for Uncle Mike

Finally it was Christmas Morning! Our little CEO arose at 5:15am. I was so excited to see him race down the stairs. Mike went down first and made sure the tree was lite and everything was just right. I brought Jack down and he said, "Juice. Cheerio's. Mickey." His normal morning commands. Really kid? Nothing? At that moment I knew I went overboard and had too high of expectations. Ugh.  Have you ever heard of the gifting rule, get them the number of gifts for how old they are? I thought that sounded scroogie but now I know that is probably good practical advice. After all Jack does only have the attention span of a 2 year old. He didn't even get through all of his gifts! We left for Florida with wrapped presents still under the tree.

Nonetheless, it was a peaceful and relaxing family day. Celebrating Christmas with the ones I love.

I really couldn't ask for more!

Merry Christmas Preppy! 

Got to love the early morning family pictures. 

My Christmas Present a visit with Sara Boe!

Opa and Little Opa

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Isaiah 9:6