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One of my favorite traditions on Christmas morning is having a pastry called Yardsticks.
Every year, when my grandparents would arrive for Christmas, I would look forward to two things:
1. Putting their presents under the tree
2. Seeing that yes, grandma did make yardsticks!
Along with our tasty pastry, we would have grapefruit, carved beautifully w/ little plastic Christmas tree decorations stuck in the middle of each half and scrambled eggs.
Since a certain website came to my attention a couple years ago **Pioneer Woman** we've incorporated her cinnamon roll recipe into our Christmas morning feast!!
This year, I completely failed in my attempt to do new traditions. In fact, we didn't even make it out of the house for any type of Christmas service, besides a quick drive around town to see more lights! Everyone had colds and we just needed to take it easy.
I needed to slow down especially.
Here is my way of de-cluttering at 9 months pregnant.
I sweep everything, dirt and toys, into one pile. The kids panic, thinking I'm going to throw away their toys and quickly pick them up and put them away! Then, I sweep up the dirt! I wouldn't recommend this method as a normal course of cleaning, but it sure beats bending over constantly to pick up all the toys or telling the kids for the 10th time to put away what toys they got out!
Ally's preschool performance was adorable!
She didn't have a "major" part, but she was a great lamb!
I've been sending Finn to school lately with clothes that probably fit Eric better. His pant legs end above his sock line and every pair has huge holes in the knees!
So, thanks to an incredible sale at Land's End, I stocked Finn's closet and even got him this outfit for Daddy's return!
Christmas morning was exciting, of course...They wore their new jammies from Aunt Jan!!! Thank you!
I know......This picture is blurry. But, I still love it!
Present opening!!
Eric put together this cool car from Aunt Leslie!
Finn into his super cool new TinTin book!
We got a surprise in the mail from some special friends in New Jersey! The kids wasted no time getting crafty!!
Ally also put on her new shirt from Aunt Shannon!!! :) As I type this the kids are doing Dot Paintings as well!
Year In Review (headers included for our annual photobook that I print!)
Family Day Cruise
Rachel's photography workshop with Tonya Joy Photography
M - r.i.p.
First day of school - 1st grade!
Miramar MCAS
Hand Therapy Graduation
Counting down the days until the Kidd returns!
Where were the Griswold's from exactly??
We took a trip the other night...
To a neighborhood of 3 separate streets, all fully decked out!
With no snow, these homeowners even line the grass with lights!
The kids were a flurry of excitement, almost dangerously so. If Laurie wasn't with me, I would not have been able to take pictures! They were running all over the place, even up to some of the people's entryways! We visited this neighborhood last year on Christmas Eve. Many of the homeowners passed out free cookies, cocoa and candycanes. One house is even sponsored by a radio station and they were broadcasting live that night.
Just to make Laurie's trip even more exciting then our normal "around the house" craziness, I planned to go to two parties in one afternoon while she was here! The first was a birthday party for a boy Finn's age. We met this family through the Kidd, Cam's ship. His mama doesn't mess around when it comes to throwing a great birthday party. Her kiddos are so blessed!
Since no one was hurt, I can say, it was humorous to see the bouncy house deflating once when it blew a circuit in the house for the 3rd time! The kids were screaming and trying to get out as it slowly sank!
A sweet father/daughter moment....I think he was convincing her to go back inside!
Musical Chairs was a hit.
The winner!
My friend is becoming a wonderful photographer!!
What a masterpiece, right?!
Seven years already! Wow!
Her boys have the most charming smiles.
THEN, we were off to the ship's Christmas party. It was a nice way to connect with the other spouses and family members of those on board the KIDD. Unfortunately, we arrived so late, most of the people remaining were beginning to clean up!
Toys for Tots sponsored our ship's event and the kid's each received a gift. A cool thing about that is our neighbor works with Toys for Tots and she received a call, asking if she would be willing to help with the Kidd party. She said, "My neighbor is ON the Kidd. I'd love to!" So, little do my kiddos know, but Pauli probably picked out and wrapped their gifts!!
Everyone decorated cookies.
They had a huge banner to sign as well that will be shipped to the sailors.
After all that excitement, the kids were not done playing yet. This playground quickly became a spaceship blasting off. Eric would run onto it and starting shouting, "One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Eleven. Blastoff!" It was pretty consistent counting! Made me smile.
We stayed until sunset.
Luckily, we've also had some quiet mornings at home as well. I'm really looking forward to this Christmas break!
Because I LOVE walking around the corner and seeing this.......
More to come from Ally's Christmas program debut! Can you find her!?
We miss you already, Laurie! What a visit!
