Christmas came way too quickly this year. And just as fast as it came, it passed. We had an amazing Christmas this year, between spending time with family and getting spoiled.
Wednesday night, I mixed up the dough for our Santa cookies in my beloved Kitchenaid mixer and put it in the fridge overnight. Of course, I had to struggle to keep Josh (and myself) away from it so we would actually have cookies to bake. It was delicious raw.
Thursday after lunch, I rolled out the dough and used Christmas tree and Gingerbread man cookie cutters and baked the cookies. I had a couple of casualties while transferring them, but Cameron was there to help me out (eat them). While he was taking a nap, I iced the cookies and waited for him to wake up and help me decorate them. He did an awesome job.
Friday (Christmas Eve) was spent together as a family. Josh had the day off, and after we got ready for the day, we decided to take Cameron (&Hannah) to Chuck E Cheese. He is obsessed with that place. He can't do many of the games to get tickets, but he loves to watch everyone else and tries to help us get tickets. He would go there everyday if we let him.
Friday night, we went to Josh's mom and stepdad's house. This is our usual Christmas Eve tradition. They order pizza, Josh's grandparents come over, and we eat and open presents. Cameron had a never ending stack of gifts, I swear. He is so spoiled by his grandparents.
This dumptruck has become one of the biggest hits from Christmas.
He got a Toy Story couch, and had to share it with Hannah. He loves her.
Josh and his brother got matching pajama pants, tshirts and Jack Daniels fifths.
We said our goodbyes and headed home around 6:30. We still had to go home, put Christmas jammies on, put the cookies and milk out for Santa, and read 'The Night Before Christmas'.
On Christmas morning, I was up bright and early (ugh, 6:30) and woke everyone else up. Josh just loves that. Josh took awhile to get up, so Cameron, Hannah and I waited patiently in the living room.
We opened up the gifts my sister and mom sent, plus the stuff Santa brought for the kids.
Hannah got her first American Girl doll!
Tradition in my family is to go to my Grandparents' house on Christmas morning for brunch and gifts. We loaded up the kids (and the toys Cameron couldn't leave behind) and headed on the way to their house. We were there by 9:30 and waited patiently for brunch to be ready. My grandma makes homemade cinnamon rolls and a breakfast strada that is to die for. We look forward to it because we only get it once a year. Anyways, after breakfast, we opened gifts. This was the kids' 3rd Christmas, and they were spoiled once again.
Hannah and my dad
My dad and stepmom hit a homerun with this tricycle.
Cameron loves jammies and had to have this on as soon as he saw them. My grandma knitted the hat.
We stayed at my Grandparents' until about 2, then headed home for naps. I was exhausted and fell asleep, which ended terribly. I woke up feeling weird, and wished I hadn't slept. We have a family tradition of going for Chinese food on Christmas night, so we went to a buffet this year. I normally go nuts at this place, but not this year. I just did not feel well and ate one plate and some ice cream. Bummer.
Sunday afternoon, we went to Josh's dad and stepmom's house to celebrate Christmas with them. We had a delicious turkey lunch, and opened gifts.
Cameron LOVES his Uncle 'Jay-gin' (Jason)
And to wrap up our Christmas celebrations, we went back to Josh's mom's house to visit with his aunt and uncle and cousins that are scattered all over the USA.
We hope you and your families had a great Holiday season. We certainly did!
