Christmas

We didn't get home from my parents until about midnight on Christmas Eve.  As soon as we got home, the boys set out a plate for Santa and went right to bed.  (They had been sleeping since about 8 at my parents).

Although it looks like he got the plate over there with some help, the truth is that the cookies fell off the plate several times on the way to make it under the tree.  Lucky Santa. 

We woke up at around 8:30 on Christmas Day, which is very much like sleeping in at our house.  Usually we are up by 6:30 and ready to start the day. I had planned for this morning very carefully.  Andy and I planned gifts for the boys in four categories; something they wear, something they need, something they want and something they read.  I need a little self control.  I want to spoil them rotten, but I don't want them to be rotten. Aiden was not digging his new outfits, but Alex was definitely loving opening gifts.  The theme this year seemed to be Mr. Potato Heads, but in our house...you can never have too many!

Andy made a delicious breakfast for us and we enjoyed playing with all the new toys.  As  a Christmas gift, Uncle Luke bought Alex new ice skates and a hockey stick.  Uncle Luke and Uncle Pete came over Christmas morning and taped Alex's new stick.  We all then went ice skating at the ice rink in New Prague as the one in Lonsdale had just been flooded.  Thank goodness we found one, for a while we were getting a little nervous.  Alex was beyond excited and felt so "big" to be going skating with his uncles (and his mom in her figure skates).

Uncle Luke did a great job shopping for the boys this year.  One of Aiden's favorite gifts was/is the shovel he got from Uncle Luke.  Instead of skating, he walked around with Andy shoveling the snow.  He was a bit intimidated by everything going on in the ice rink although it was just us there on Christmas morning.  Alex had a difficult time skating.  It will take some practice, but my boy is determined.  He recently learned that his best buddy, Carter, got ice skates for Christmas too.  He is very excited to "get out on the ice" with him and practice.

Uncle Luke and Uncle Pete worked so hard to get Alex to stay up on those skates.  They were all so determined and wanted it to happen so bad.  Next time, we are taking out a chair for him to balance on and maybe a helmet? 

After our try at hockey, we headed home and got ready for Christmas with the Johnson's at the Goodwin's. Of course there were cards and games to be played and lots of chit chat to catch up on.  We had a delicious meal of lasagna.  Alex had such a good time and Aiden warmed up this time too.  He even was looking through some of Gracie's old things and found a doll he loved to hold and backpack he loved to wear. I could tell he was getting a bit tired and rocked him to sleep around 9:00.  When I put him on the bed to sleep, he woke up and wanted the "dolly".  After getting it back, he quickly fell asleep.  He melts my heart.

I love this picture of my dad. He looks so happy.

We played the dice game this year.  Everyone brought a wrapped gift of about twenty dollars to exchange.  We sat in a circle and exchanged the gifts on a double roll.  I don't know why I didn't think to bring a gift for the boys to exchange.  I guess I figured they were too young.  But, I felt bad for Alex who wanted to play during the game.  Momma needs to be better prepared next time.

It was a great Christmas with lots of wonderful memories.  We are lucky to be able to get together with family and continue our relationships with one another.