Christmas 2015

We started the Christmas season with Haley’s preschool production. I blogged about it earlier, but I forgot to include a photo of the reason we went to the concert to begin with!

On to Christmas week… I had worked way more than usual the week before, and then two days at the start of break, so it was wonderful to start Wednesday spending time with my children, at home. We bought a new puzzle and spent half an hour putting it together. Honestly, I thought it would take longer. I underestimated my children’s ability to assemble a 100-piece puzzle.

On Christmas Eve, I spent most of the day in the kitchen: apple pie, marinating flank steak, potatoes au gratin, dinner rolls, cheesecake, fudge, blueberry french toast casserole, brunch pizza, yummmmm.

JT got to watch Home Alone with Jim while I baked and Haley napped. It was so cute to watch them laugh at all the same parts! We talked with JT ahead of time because there are a few nasty words in the movie (even though it’s rated PG!) and Jim knew were one was, so we just skipped that part.

Dinner

We went to a candlelight church service all dressed up, then came home for our tradition of watching the original Grinch and eating dessert. Then the kids went to bed and Jim and I had our tradition: watching A Christmas Story and relaxing before bed.

Christmas morning, we all slept till about 8 AM. We’re not ones to rush into getting up. 🙂 (Haley used to be the early bird, and she still beats JT out of bed, but she sleeps later in her big bed in our quiet house than she ever did in Maple Valley). We opened stockings and enjoyed the start of the day while I got breakfast going.

After breakfast, we started in on the gifts. Some of these gifts stacked up are for extended family and would be delivered later in the day, but I still thought this photo of Jim was funny!

After Haley gave JT her gift – this photo is priceless!

Haley got a microphone on a stand. I think we have already regretted this purchase slightly.

JT wanted art supplies, so he got them! “Adult” paints, oils, sketch pads, and a desk easel.

Haley got her American Girl doll. It’s a Truly Me doll that we ordered to look like her. Haley named her Mary Ellen at first because that’s what she thought the doll was named in the catalog. Then she found out that she could name her whatever she wanted, and now the doll is named Rosalie Carnation Keene. (That’s Rosalie pronounced Rose-a-lie, not Rose-a-lee.) Oh my.

Then we walked across the street to my parents’ house for brunch. Gena made her Swedish pancakes, and my mom made cinnamon rolls. My brunch pizza was a nice compliment to all that sweetness.

Haley got the start of her own tool kit from Grandpa and Grandma Cole. She has been wanting her own!

Then we drove five minutes over to Jim’s parents’ house for dinner.

Russell found the perfect resting spot – on his own gift. 🙂

 Grandma Hall came up from Portland, and that was a fun surprise to have her with us!

JT had really wanted this bird toy ever since Haley got one on Thanksgiving from Aunt Merrie.

Playing with new toys after dinner – new outfit from Aunt Alice!