A Wonderful Christmas Time!

Have I ever mentioned in the history of this blog how much I LOVE christmas! Well, I do. Let me just state it now:

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!

This year was that much more special because of my 2 wonderful children.  Allie discovered the joys and magic of Christmas this year. She soaked in every element and loved it.  She was so sad when I took the tree down. She still asks me, “Mama, where is the Christmas of tree?” (no, that’s not a typo, she really says ‘Christmas of tree’).  I put up the tree extra early this year because I was scheduled to have surgery just before Thanksgiving and I knew I would not be able to put the tree and decor up on Thanksgiving weekend as I’ve done every year.  Allie loved helping me put up the tree during Ryan’s nap.  When Ryan woke up I had gotten the tree put together and the lights on, but no ornaments yet. What a treat that was to see! Ryan just kept talking and talking and talking about that tree. In his own language of course!

Allie saw me taking this picture of Ryan and she ran to go get her camera too.

A few days later, we started a new tradition. The Redlands Christmas Parade.  We bundled up the kids, went and got a pizza and a great seat.  We enjoyed warm pizza as we waited for the parade to start. The kids were so good! I think they sensed our excitement and that’s all they could feel as well.  The good feelings lasted a while but that parade was looooooong! After 2 1/2 hours the feelings started to fade…in all of us! So we left but it sure was fun!

This little boy was completely zonked out I tell you…which explains my complete SHOCK when I see this picture and his eyes are OPEN! Creepy…

The next tradition was the Christmas party through my Dad’s work that happens in mid December. We’ve gone every year since I was like…4. Now I take my kids. 

All my Mom’s kids: 3 daughters, 1 granddaughter, 2 sons, 1 grandson, and a son-in-law. :)

Christmas Eve was spent at my Mother in Laws with all of Jason’s family. It’s always a good time. This kids are always so good because they are so comfortable with everyone, plus they LOVE their grandma’s house even though they go there everyday when Jason and I work. I am glad they love it though, gives me peace of mind. 

We had a delicious dinner, great conversation and lots -o- presents! Here’s some pictures of that day:

I didn’t get any pictures of Christmas morning. Lots of video, but no camera pictures.  I was too wrapped up in the kids and their excitement.  Allie and Ryan woke up to this and this and this left out by Santa. They loved them. Especially since Daddy redid part of the backyard for their playhouse. They even have stepping tones and flowers. It’s their own little ‘house’ with a yard and they play in it for hours every weekend. Also every weekend I make them lunch to eat on their picnic table. As for the Tonka Truck, Ryan likes to stand on it. That’s about it. :) They also had several presents under the tree to unwrap too!

As for me, I got some amazing things from my own Santa.  He got me this new camera:

It’s not a full SLR (we could never afford that, and for those of you that have an SLR, you are truly blessed), but omigosh! I was sooooo excited I cried. I never, ever expected my husband to buy me a new camera.  He knew I wanted one but I didn’t make a big deal about it like I did this:

(Mr. Coffee Frappe maker). I just thought the money would be better spent on the kids.  and P.S. I DID get the Frappe maker too. And P.S.S. we make one every single morning. I have not bought a Starbucks since…

 

Moving on…

Later, after spending all of Christmas Day cooking, I had my 3rd annual Christmas dinner for my family as well as Jason's. About 19 people total.  I just love entertaining/having dinner parties, and I had so much fun getting into the little details of this one. Just wait until next year! I was so busy with all of the dinner preparations that I didn’t really get to take many pictures with my new camera. But I promise you that from this post on out, all new pictures will be! Here is the first one I took that I was pretty impressed with:

…and I think I have not taken a bad picture since! :)

It wasn’t the photographer after all…it was the camera! hehe!