We had a ‘fancy’ dinner in of homemade haddock chowda and fresh (frozen) rolls.
I am slightly ashamed and yet sort of proud that this is pretty much the only pictures I have of my parents visit. We spent our time with them just relaxing and enjoying them.
After dinner we went wild.
It was a rockin’ night!
We took a 3 hour tour to Old Town the Saturday before new years. Literally. We arrived about 10 and then left around 1. Quite quick. We would have stayed longer but the weather was not cooperating. Short but sweet. Very sweet.
Opening presents…
Irritating the cousins.
And an attempt to burn down the house with lunch.
It’s the way we roll. Create a mess and then get out of dodge. Want to invite us over? :)
I have mentioned before how much I resist the Kurlanska way of Christmas. While it is nice to visit with folks we don’t see often- it is so rushed and packed that it leaves you feeling drained. I prefer a lazy holiday that leaves you satiated and cozy. After Alec and I had a nice Christmas Eve day of casually visiting with friends, the frenzy of holiday celebrating started.
Christmas Eve – always at Nanny’s house. I do love this gathering. It’s nice to visit and in Nanny fashion –she kicks you out after a few hours. Short but sweet! :) This year was a little bitter-sweet since her health is declining- you can’t help but know that this is the last year we will be celebrating at her house.
We did a Yankee Swap this year- we made it kid friendly. Alec got a great number and enjoyed his first experience with the game.
Alec also got in his snuggle time with Paulina.
Christmas morning Alec gave us the best Christmas present. He slept until 7:30. Yay! That is unheard of in these parts! :)
Opening his double barrel marshmallow shooter (you’ll shoot your eye out!) He was psyched. And the other awesome present from Santa?
We love Shel Silverstein. Santa always brings books!
Excited that his godfather bought him a Leappad 2.
Shania got her presents too!
And then it was off to the grandparents house for a full day of more fun, food & presents.
And lots of snuggles and love.
A successful Christmas!
So much fun these days are – and they go by so fast.
The last week of school Alec stayed home a few days- he was fighting a cold but really I just wanted him to spend some time with my parents who were in town. We all spent such quality time together that I never pulled out the camera. It was hanging out playing time and running last minute errands. Special times.
In a blink of an eye the actual holidays were upon us. For some reason, this year I neglected to wrap any presents, bake any cookies and managed to leave a few things until the last minute. We wrapped 98% of the presents two night before Christmas (the other 2% were done Christmas eve). We were out buying Yankee swap presents at 4pm on Christmas eve.
This is unlike me.
Maybe I spent too much time listening to 94.9 and their 24 hour Christmas music. I really like Christmas music. Or maybe I spent too much time gazing at our tree. I really like our tree this year. A LOT. And I spent my time with my parents.
I guess my point is- I spent a lot of time doing things I enjoyed. I just didn’t bother with the other stuff.
Ya know what?
It all worked out.
I did manage to complete a few things…mostly on Christmas Eve. ;)
Reindeer dust for our friends!
Possibly a new tradition? Breakfast with the Knox’s on Christmas Eve. It was also the unveiling of the glitter t-shirt. (although we don’t actually have any pictures of the back with his name in glitter) Oh-my.
24 weeks and lookin’ good! (there was a gender reveal on Christmas morning...they are having another boy! Yay!)
A Christmas Eve delivery to the Todd house. We missed Faye’s birthday party the day before and wanted to make sure she got her birthday present and, of course, their t-shirts too!
I stayed longer than planned but a holiday beverage was offered and the children were having fun playing. :)
It was so nice to visit in relaxed atmosphere before the Christmas crazies kicked in.
Year 1 with our elf, Mark,brought us distress as Alec was freaked out by him. Mark spent a lot of time in our glass/cups cupboard.
Year 2 with Mark found Erik and I helping Mark move around while Alec continued to get annoyed at us for moving the decorations. Alec doubted he was real.
Year 3- we have buy-in. This is only because he has “Jingle” in his classroom at school. Mark isn’t quite as clever as Jingle but he manages most mornings to move around. :)
Thankfully Mark isn’t as messy as some of the other elves I have viewed on the internet. :)
Courtney and Leo were home for a few days this past weekend for a visit before they head to Nicaragua for Christmas break. We had quality family time. :)
