So close to being reasonably caught up. All that stands between me and blogging triumph is these 42 pictures of Christmas. Do we really need 42 pictures to commemorate one holiday? I choose not to even investigate how many photos were actually taken.
Before there was the glory, the ecstasy, and the mess of Christmas morning, there was much preamble.
Emery had a party at school.
Alastair had a non-specific holiday party at school. After which I did not barf this year! How's that for an improvement?
We bought a special small tree for the kids to decorate and undecorate to their hearts' content.
It was great fun for a few days then Eleanor's desire to undecorate the tree outpaced her siblings' desire to redecorate it. So part of my holiday routine was to put the ornaments back on the tree at least once a day.
There was "Breakfast with Santa" at church which could be only be described as a Christmas debacle. First there was the "pancake breakfast" that turned out to be biscuit and sausage sandwiches (cold Jimmy Dean like horrors) and powdered donuts. Then there was the crazy obvious fake Santa, with three shades of white/pink for his white trim/beard. Then there was the horrible fake fireplace painted on the wall behind him. The appeal of this event is that every family got special time alone with Santa. But what happens when you realize this is not at all what you had in mind just as you are ushered in the room with said Santa? You smile like crazy and make the photo black and white. Smile and wave, boys, smile and wave.
There were cinnamon rolls for the neighbors. And for us, of course!
Christmas Eve was at Grammie and Papa's again this year. We head to church as a family then gather for dinner and eggnog, mixed by Papa. The adults could probably light their breath on fire after indulging in one of Bill's eggnogs.
All cleaned up and ready to eat!
This was the year that Nelly discovered all the "press here" singing toys.
Remember when I said by her birthday she also figured out presents? Once again, there were no presents under our tree until Christmas Eve. After she was in bed.
With the kiddos safely tucked in, we could roll out the presents and get to sleep ourselves. We force the kids to stay upstairs until 7 am, but that doesn't mean they aren't rumbling around before then.
Christmas!
It was the best of times. Alastair was a wee bit excited to open his Kindle.
Kim trying to figure out how to work it, since it is our first non-Mac device.
Emery's big present was her new and bigger bike. She is a little bike riding dynamo these days.
Nell got littler toys for obvious reasons. The third kid already has every big toy known to man waiting for her to grow into it. And hey, get out of the presents lady!
There were also Lego. Lots and lots of Lego.
Emery was all about the puzzles this year.
Santa brought Alastair the Coast Guard ship he begged for for months. I am surprised to admit that it is still put together in his room. That's love, people.
Santa brought Emery bubbles in her stocking and she had to blow princess bubbles for a good thirty minutes.
Nell was happy to hang out with everyone and explore the mess. I think we went a little overboard.
That night, the Lew-crew came over for more revelry.
There was a great feast as usual, featuring Kim's signature floor steak. It wasn't quite as tender this year but considerably more hygienic than the year the name was born...
Nelly got in some Papa snuggles.
And Alastair delighted in yet more presents.
On Boxing Day, we finally got around to baking some cookies.
Emery is my faithful baking helper.
She is a creative decorator too.
Later in the week we packed up and headed west for Christmas, Round 2.
Look what Nelly found!
She enjoyed being the center of attention.
One of the kids' presents for Christmas from their father (not their mother) were bows and arrows. Technically, he told them that they were the owners of the bows, but that he was the sole possessor of the arrows. This was the first chance we had to try them out.
Uncle Richard, the resident hunting expert, gave Alastair the safety talk and got him set.
Little miss got in on the action too, just like her hero, Merida from Brave.
Grandad rolled out some crazy "big gun" adult bow and arrow for Kim to try.
Hitting the target the first time, Kim wisely decided to stop there. That and the bow "bit" him on the arm.
There were iPhone lessons. This girl...
And this one. They have stolen my heart.
Nelly was game for a few photos.
Even if she was so bundled up she could barely move.
Grand parent love.
Back on the road!
Our annual SeaWorld passes were about to expire so we decided to give it one more shot, even though the weather was in the 40's.
They had snow!
And Lego like bricks to build an igloo, if you worked exceptionally fast.
Fun in the candy cane forest.
I was there too!
We closed down the park.
It was a very nice holiday.
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