This year we went back to our traditional way of celebrating Christmas Eve--German style. The last few years we have spent Christmas Eve with Todd's parents and Christmas Day with mine. This year we flip-flopped to accommodate extended family that was going to be in town. It was really fun to be back with my family on Christmas Eve. We had our usual German style feast with meats, cheeses, sauerkraut, brats and of course treats!!! I was in heaven because I adore Havarti cheese and Turingur (German salami). Plus, when you're pregnant no one dares to make any sort of comment about what helping you are on. I ate and ate and ate...you get the idea. Then, it was mass chaos for present opening. The kids were elated with their new toys. Katie and Joey got a new slightly bigger play kitchen. Joey a few cars and trains and Katie a new pair of Tinkerbell slippers and some various kitchen amenities! They were thrilled! We had a wonderful time and I kept wishing we could sleep over just like the old days. Sometimes I still just want to be a little girl reliving those wonderful Christmas memories. But, on the flip side I adore watching my children's same excitement as they make their memories!
Christmas Morning
Santa found our house this year and boy did he leave some fun stuff. And, because I am such a stellar mother this year we left our letters out Christmas Eve in hopes that Santa had a few extras from their wish list in his bag. They were absolutely thrilled! We had so much fun opening each thing. Joey wanted to play with each toy before he could open another present while Katie was opening before we even had a chance to breath and see what was under the wrapping paper. I do love Christmas!!!
After our own opening session it was off to Aunt Beth's for a Clevenger extravaganza. Grandma Pike and Aunt Dee and her boys were in town so it was quite the crew. By the end of the day we were so beat. The kids didn't even ask to play with their toys when they got home. They just wanted their beds. Nothing like a good holiday get together to wipe out your kids!
This year my goal was to try and enjoy Christmas first hand and not through a camera lens. I absolutely loved it. Of course, I missed a few of the exciting moments on film, but they are ingrained in my mind. I just wanted to seep up every possible moment of sparkly eyes, surprised looks and adorable little giggles. It was all worth it.
My goal for next year is for our family to start having more of our own traditions. So far we have just kept trying to balance one or the other's traditions, but I really want to have some of our own that we have decided are ours. Now we just need to decided what they'll be. Good thing we have a whole year to think about it!!!
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