Christmas: In Words

As is the tradition in our family, Christmas is not just a day, but a string of days full of family and presents.  We started our celebration the Saturday before Christmas with an opening of an abundance of presents at my mom's house.

With the number of presents and strewn wrapping paper on the floor, it could have (should have) counted as Christmas.  But instead, it is merely a prelude.  Above the multitude of presents they opened, the boys loved the lap desks my mom found and personalized for them, fluffy lap desks with secret compartments.  I had already swooned over my brand spankin' new dishwasher my mom treated us to and had installed for us earlier that week, but then she went and surprised me with my new Ninja cooking system.

I was so excited I may have yelped.  My brothers mocked my joy, but nothing says happy like a mom with a new crockpot.  A crockpot that can roast a turkey!  Yippee! I am a simple person.  Truly.

After the presents were opened and much wine had been drank, we feasted on pizza, wings and subs before indulging in a chocolate fountain.  The boys truly enjoyed the fountain.  Brennan left a stream of chocolate here, there and everywhere: on his face, his hands, his shirt, his pants.  I think he liked it.

The next day, Sunday, we celebrated Christmas with Chris's parents.  More presents, more pizza and subs, and a whole lot of lego building while we took in the football game.

Christmas celebration, day three brought us Christmas Eve, my most favorite time of the year.  We enjoyed an evening at my Nana and Grandpa's with our entire family.  Every time I walk into a celebration like this surrounded by my family, I feel so blessed, because above all, we like each other.  We enjoy each other.  And boy, do we have much fun together.  One of my favorite moments came when I hugged my uncle Tim hello.  He grinned and said to me, "I love my family."  I have to agree.  Our family is full of good people.

We feasted on Nana's homemade sauce and meatballs.  Chris soaked up some veal, with some good natured bickering by the men over who was hogging the veal supply.  And we all enjoyed telling stories and giggling over many a good bottle of wine.

Uncle Seth and Aunt Tennille's presents to the boys were a highlight for all the "boys" on Christmas Eve.  Seth had ordered the boys three remote control helicopters that shoot each other with lasers in the air.  By mistake, he had placed the order twice, which gave us six helicopters for play on Christmas Eve.  Travis, my cousins Patrick and Liam were quick to jump in with offers to give the helicopters a good home.  The rest of us spent the night dodging helicopters engaged in mid-air laser combat.

The next day, Christmas came bright and early, the boys begging for us to get out of bed at 6:45.  Griffin confessed that he had wanted to sleep more, but Brennan kept shaking him asking "Are you awake?  Are you awake?  Are you awake?"  Until finally, Griffin said, "I just got up.  I guess I was awake!"

We opened presents for what seemed like hours.  Aidan loved his new set of Lord of the Rings books.  We are planning on reading the Hobbit together, like our own little book club.  Brennan was beyond excited over his new kindle, already loaded up with books for him to read.  And Griffin, well he was thrilled to finally have his own iPod touch with all his own music for singing and dancing.

My favorite moment of Christmas morning was when Griffin closed the door to the playroom for some alone time.  From behind the closed doors, we could hear his music playing from his iPod touch and then, he started singing loudly along with the music, jumping and dancing around the room.  After twenty minutes or so, he opened the door, sweaty and grinning from ear to ear.

My little singer and dancer.

We spent the day in our pajamas, building legos, listening to music, watching movies and reading books.  It was a family day, relaxing at home.  There were more presents to be had though!  Uncle Travis and Aunt Lynda stopped over with laser tag for the boys.  It was a huge hit as the boys loaded it up to battle each other (and Uncle Travis.)

That night, we enjoyed Christmas dinner at my Aunt Nancy's and Uncle David's home.  Christmas 2012 - four days of celebration.

It is no wonder we did not get out of our pajamas at all the day after Christmas.  Poor Chris had to work, but the boys and I enjoyed a a true pajama day.  There is something really nice about roasting a turkey in flannel pj pants.