Christmas Day...again

This year Erin and her family came into town a few days after Christmas. On Friday we headed to my parents house around lunch time to eat lunch together and celebrate our Christmas. The kids were all playing and Will wanted to know when it was time to open presents. Jackson looked at him very seriously  and said, " You know Will, Christmas is not about opening presents. It's about God and family." I was glad to hear that Jackson was able to reflect a bit about the meaning of Christmas. The kids each got a stocking and opened it with care each checking out what each other got. Then we moved on to presents. Aubrin was more than thrilled that even though Santa didn't bring her a Brave dress grandma and grandpa didn't forget. She also got the movie, doll and bow and arrow set. Wow! Lucky girl. Jackson thought that it was funny that he opened up a pair of grandpa's golf shoes:) My parents wanted to get him golf shoes, but were worried that he would grow out of them before the spring. So the shoes were to show him what he will be getting. Jackson also LOVED his Lego Police Station. As always, my parents went crazy overboard. Aubrin liked to walk around the living room and checkout what everyone else was getting. She was so excited to give Emerson her sparkly boots. Aubrin has been eying those boots at our house for a month. I think if they would have fit her she would have tried wearing them:)
My mom and dad always loves shopping for Todd. They love buying him things that he would never buy for himself and a few things that may be out of his box. My mom and dad loved their yearly Shutterfly book. This year the book was 115 pages. It takes a lot of time and coordination between Erin and I, but the end result and love for the book is well worth it. 

 After we opened gift, the kids played. The guys retired to watching football and Erin, mom and I chatted in the living room. Oh how I cherish those moments. I wish Erin and her family could stay longer, but the Windy City awaits their return.
Again, I left my parents house with my cup full. It was a great day spent with family and a reminder of what is truly important.

Christmas Day

Tap, tap, tap...tap, tap, tap is what I felt on my arm at 3:30 in the morning. Jackson was up and wanted to let me know that Santa had come to our house. Really? 3:30am? I love when my kids are excited, but this mom needed a bit more sleep. So Jackson and I went back upstairs and he fell asleep...tap, tap, tap, "Mom, can we open presents yet (4:00am). So Jackson climbed in bed with us and lucky fell back asleep until 8:00 when Aubrin came downstairs. They were both very excited to come out into the living room to get a closer look at what Santa left. Coffee was already made, cameras were in place...ready, set, GO!  The kids took their time opening their stockings, looking at each thing that they got and loving it. As we opened gifts I was extremely happy to hear and see how appreciative Jackson and Aubrin were for the gifts that they were getting. Jackson loved his Cabrera jersey and suitcase. Aubrin was so excited to open her Doc McStuffins doll and immediately broke out singing the theme song. She also LOVED her new doll house. In the middle of opening gifts we took a break for the kids to play with some of their toys and for me to make breakfast. I could tell that during breakfast Jackson was looking under the tree from the table trying to figure out if there was an i pod touch under there, although he didn't mention it.  
Once we got back to opening gifts I gave him a rather large box. He unwrapped it and there was another wrapped box in that one, then another, and another and another... finally he got done to the last box and sure enough, Santa brought him the i Touch. That Santa is a pretty great guy. Jackson was a bit speechless, although he was not short of smiles. I love when they love their gifts!!!! 
Jackson and Aubrin exchanged the gifts they bought for each other and they were both extremely happy. Too cute! A few weeks ago I took the kids shopping for Todd's gifts. Aubrin really wanted to buy Todd underwear and a t-shirt. Jackson got Todd tickets to a Michigan basketball game for the two of them to go Todd. Aubrin bought me perfume and a new purse and Jackson got me Lions t-shirt  (to match his) so we could match when we watch the Lions.
 
This year was a bit different because we were staying home on Christmas day. Every year of my life, I have always opened presents and then got ready and went to someones house for the day. Today was different. This year was our turn to spend the day with the Miller's. A couple of years ago they started a new tradition. They wanted all of their kids to be able to spend the day with their families and they spend the day traveling to all of our houses. So they came over in the afternoon for about an hour. They kids enjoyed showing them everything that they got for Christmas. I must say, it was a nice way to spend the day and a nice way to be able to visit with Kaye and Dick. I think Jackson and Aubrin liked having their full attention for sure.
Later in the day we went to Krista and Mike's for dinner. Krista made a delicious dinner for all of us. The kids played while Krista, Mike, Todd and I sat around the table and talked and caught up. All of the kids play so well together and stay busy. 
We headed home at about 8:00 to settle in for the night. When we were driving home Jackson said, "I feel really lucky for the things that I got today. Thank you." Thank you buddy!
As we walked into our house it was spilling over with Christmas cheer..cookies on the counter, new games to be played, new dolls to dress and play with and most of all it gave me a sense of thankfulness. I am thankful that I have such a wonderful family. I am thankful for all of the love that we have and all of the love that my children feel. We are truly blessed.

Merry Christmas

Christmas- Part 1

This year we had many celebrations for Christmas. On the 23rd we celebrated with the Miller's. We all met at church for 1:00 mass~ all 27 of us! After mass we headed back to the Miller's house.
You can imagine with 27 people, gift opening takes a while. In Miller tradition each person opens one present at a time, including opening one thing out of your stocking at a time. There was no time to waste. The kids were all very patient waiting their turn and loving what each other got.Aubrin loved her beauty chair and her horse for her American Girl Doll. She LOVES accessories! Jackson got a football game and a new soccer ball that he was equally thrilled about. The adults do a Secret Santa and I was lucky enough to get a gift from Katie this year. For all of my sister in laws, my sister, and my mom, I have made them bracelets with their kids (or grandkids) names on them. I LOVE their bracelets, but never have taken the time to make myself one. When I opened my box from Katie I found a beautiful bracelet that she made for me with my babes name on it. I think it may go down as one of my favorite gifts ever. It was so thoughtful of her to think of me and know exactly what I would love. In the middle of gift opening we stopped and ate a yummy dinner, then reconvened in the living room. We wrapped our night up at 8:30pm. The kids were a bit of a tired mess, but they both said what a great night they had when we got in the car.
On Christmas Eve we were hosting at our house. The party started at 5:30, so we either had to go to 4:00 mass or midnight mass. 4:00 mass it was. We got to church early, and we still had to stand in the back. Because the church was full so early and no one else was going to fit, mass started 12 minutes early. Jackpot!!! We would get out with a few minutes to spare before our guests showed up. I couldn't really hear to much of mass, but I could hear the beautiful music that was being played. Oh how I love the music during Christmas mass.
After church we went outside to find that it was snowing like crazy and the roads were HORRIBLE! Oh no! We had people driving over an hour coming to our house. We got home, my parents arrived shortly after and we got all of the last minute details taken care of.  Everyone came, a few late, but everyone arrived safely.
After dinner, we heard some jingle bells, and sure enough Santa made his way downstairs. All of the kids (and a few special adults) sat on Santa's lap.

Jackson's helped my mom pass out all of the presents under the tree this year. He was proud that he was old enough to be able to help this year. He also gave grandma and grandpa special gifts he bought from the holiday shop at school.



Our last guests left at around 10:30.
I thought the kids would just fall into bed with the busy day we had, but NOPE! We got our plate of cookies and milk ready for Santa, went outside and sprinkled reindeer food and held our elf Harry and said our good bye's before he left for the last time.

 Once in bed Aubrin had a very difficult time going to bed. She was very nervous about Santa coming in the house while we were sleeping. I remember having this same issue with Jackson when he was  3.  We told Aubrin that Santa would leave the presents on the front porch and we would bring them in later. That seemed to make her a bit more calm, but she also requested that Todd lay with her for a bit.
Once she fell asleep Todd and I were able to turn out the light....and to all a good night!

Holiday Prep

I love the prepping that leads up to Christmas. The parties, baking, crafts, days out in the snow...all of it. Although, it's such a busy time of year with all of the hustle and bustle, all of the craziness seems to bring me a sense of calm (sounds crazy). 
A few weeks ago we had a little snow. When we see snow, we run for snow pants and boots. Last year Aubrin didn't like it much if her mittens got wet, but this year was a bit different. My little lady was a champ this year with Jackson.
 
A friend of ours in the neighborhood always has a Santa party a few weeks before Christmas. It's always a great way to gather all of our friends in the neighborhood together. We see each other all summer while outside, but not so much as the weather gets colder. As Santa was walking in the house, Aubrin was walking down the stairs from the playroom. She turned the corner just as Santa was coming in the front door. I couldn't get to her fast enough to stop the reaction that I knew was coming. If only I had the video camera on. I think I could have won a lot of money on America's Funniest Home Video. She turned around ran up the stairs in a blur, screaming. She shut the bedroom door and just cried. Poor girl. So I went and got her and we made it back down stairs with her tightly attached to the front of me. Jackson was sitting front and center waiting for Santa to call his name. When he did, Jack jumped right up and without Santa asking Jackson said, "I would really like an i pod touch." Then it was almost a sense of relief on Jackson's face, like, "I finally told him. Now he knows what to bring me." When it was Aubrin's turn I had to hold her, tightly, but she went up. She told Santa that she wanted a Brave dress. After Santa was done talking with all of the kids, Aubrin went back up on her own and talked with him for a few minutes. It takes our little lady a bit longer to warm up. It was a good night for all.

Aubrin had her Jingle Bell party at school. I was able to go and spend the morning with her. We made crafts, ate, sang songs and visited with friends. It was nice to chat with Mrs. Katie and hear how great Aubrin is doing at school and ready for Kindergarten (sigh).

  
I had to get back to work, but Julia met me at school and stayed the rest of the morning with her and then took Aubrin out for a special lunch. 

The kids love decorating their own tree. Over the past couple of years they have both gotten special ornaments from people that go on their tree. It was surprising to me that they knew the story that went with each ornament.

Jackson had a Gingerbread musical at school. I am sad to say that I could not go because of the time it was at, but Todd, Aubrin and my parents were able to go. Although I felt like I saw the musical every night at home. Jackson LOVED singing all of the songs and did a great job practicing his line that he needed to say. After the performance everyone went back to the room for punch and cookies. Todd took pictures had the camera, but not to many pictures.Although, he did the best he could:) Thanks honey!
We were also able to fit in making cookies and a few crafts here and there. I love having my babes crafts around the house. It just screams Merry Christmas to me.