Get ready for some picture overload -- Tammy requested that I not collage the pictures, so there are a million. I'm not very good at being selective in my picture choice.
We started off our Christmas festivities with the Eve of Christmas Eve Castleton party. Our kids were so excited! They must have asked at least 10 times when everyone was going to get to our house. The Mumford's arrived before church so they were able to come to our sacrament meeting. It was really fun to have some family with us.
After church we came home, got the kids pj's on, and then started getting ready for the party. We ate tacos (of course), and then while the adults cleaned things up the kids organized a game on the couches. One at a time they would run across the couches and then do some wonderful feat to get themselves onto the round, spinny chair (i.e. flip, leap, somersault, etc.). It was pretty fun to watch, and I believe I withstood the wildness admirably well.
While dishes were being finished up, Becky helped organize the kids for the Nativity. They chose parts, then had a practice run so everyone would be ready. We actually had 2 nativities this year because the kids couldn't agree on who got to do which part. So, they decided to do it twice -- that way everyone got to act out their 2 favorite parts and no fights or tears broke out.
Anna and Peter were our first Mary and Joseph -- 2nd go round it was Hallie and Kale.
Narrator: 1st round -- Rachel 2nd round -- Alyssa
Shepherds/Wisemen: 1st round -- Kale, Sky, Brian
2nd round -- Sky, Peter
The program concluded with the kids singing Christmas Bells and the adults singing one of the Angel songs (I can't remember for the life of me what it's called -- I only know it was the one without all the "glorias"). The party then proceeded for the kids downstairs with as many movies as they could stay awake for, and for the adults upstairs where we talked and skyped with MJ and Brian. I must admit that's where I fell asleep. So, the party may have continued for the rest of our family, but for me it came to a close around 10:30.
The next morning we had french toast. We fed the kids first, and then the adults ate our gourmet french toast made with french bread, and then topped with homemade buttermilk syrup and lots of fruit. It was super delicious! The kids played in the basement until about noon, and then everyone headed off for their Christmas Eve festivities.
Christmas Eve at our house was a pretty quiet affair. We had our
traditional waffles with ice cream and fruit for dinner and then had a
little program. Jon read the Christmas story out of the Bible, and then
we sang some carols while Rachel and I accompanied on the piano (we've
been practicing Christmas duets). Hallie and I then played Good King
Wenceslas (no one could sing along, because honestly, who really knows
the words to that one?), and then it was time for opening presents that
we gave to each other. We've decided that this will be our new
tradition. The kids had all chosen something of theirs to give to each
other, so we sat in a circle and took turns opening those presents. It
was so fun to see how happy they were to receive these toys/crafts that
had been chosen for them. After the presents, we hung our stockings and
headed down to bed. The kids all got to sleep by the Christmas tree in
the basement.
When we put the kids to bed, Jon had laid down the rules of not coming
upstairs unless the basement door was open because Santa would be sure
to open it before he left our house. If it was closed, that meant Santa
wasn't done yet, and we all know that Santa won't leave presents if you
catch him in the act (at least that's what Jon told the kids). Hallie was so excited about Santa coming that she was the last one asleep. At one point Jon had gone downstairs to get something out of the basement, and when he opened the door Hallie popped up with a huge smile on her face thinking that she had stayed awake long enough to see Santa open the door. When she realized it was just Jon, she was slightly disappointed.
Hallie gave this Grinch mask to Kale and he loved it!
Christmas morning came much sooner than Jon and I were hoping for. The kids had woken up at 3:30 and we heard them sneak upstairs (although not very sneakily) to see if Santa had come. Unfortunately, they never snuck back downstairs. So, for the next 2 hours we had Kale coming up at regular intervals to ask if they could a) open the presents, or b) wake up Sky. In between these questions we could hear the kids playing games in the family room next to their piles of presents. Needless to say, Jon and I were super tired. We finally came down at 6 and started the present frenzy.
Once the presents were opened the kids dispersed to their rooms to play with their new treasures.
Sky got this little nursery for her babies and also some princess slippers. It was pretty funny to see her taking care of her little doll all while wearing her high-heeled, feathery slippers. She is truly a lady at all times.
We finished off our Christmas fun with a trip to Nick and Heidi's house for dinner. There were just 4 of the Hansen siblings that came because everyone else was either out of town, or with in-laws. It was fun for the kids to get together, and nice for us to just have a relaxing night with no definite plans or expectations. We've had a really great Christmas so far, and are looking forward to rest of the week because we still have Christmas parties to look forward to. Wahoo!!
