Merry Christmas!

Whoa!! I thought I was going to post this on Christmas Day...yeah. Why do I even think these things?

The weekend before Christmas we traveled to Mom and Dads to celebrate. Dave worked late (what is new?) and we had a late night drive in icy conditions to make it there. Dave and I have never shirked from making dangerous drives, especially when coming home for Christmas! But I have to say that we were both a little more wary having the two kiddos in the car. I am a little more hyper-sensitive to all those worst-case scenarios that could befall us. We saw three cars that were freshly in the ditch on the interstate to start our travels - not encouraging!  

It was a slow drive, but we finally made it to Burr Oak around 9 p.m. Mom, Dad, Andrew and Kylie were there waiting for us and after unloading and hugging, we moved the presents down from the new loft Christmas tree to the living room. We had Collin open first so that we could get him to bed (sleep training!! trying not to mess with it too much:) He did really great for a 10 month old and did a little opening and the playing with what he received. Lots of trucks and tractors for this little boy, something he really hasn't had much of at all until now. He loves anything with wheels and got lots of great gifts! Then off to bed for him and a little time out for everyone else...

Getting ready to open!

Figuring it out...

After going to sleep without any crying!! (Mommy's best gift of the season?), we settled in to go around and open from youngest to oldest. Kate did pretty good for a 4 year old, she was pretty anxious to keep opening hers, but did great. We had a fun time, I love giving gifts and watching people be surprised. We would stop to talk about a gift or test something out, but soon we noticed it was past midnight and we were getting tired! So, after a little bit of cleaning up, we headed to bed. 

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The next morning, brought guests - the Brown side of the family! Mom and I snuck in a walk outside and then Mom was busy making ham, mashed potatoes, meatballs, etc...it was a great meal and so fun to visit with family we see only about twice a year. Sam and Charlie let us know when it was time to open presents:) and that was fun as well. The boys like to get gifts for whomever they drew and you can tell how much thought went into it. 

Getting ready to open gifts with the Brown's...

It was so fun to watch Kate play with the boys:) Charlie and her have a special bond and he is so helpful and patient with her. I heard her say a couple times, "I'm a big kid!" she definitely wanted to be as big as her cousins and also had some cuddle time with them as well. She also went right up to Uncle Bob and talked and played as well as Aunt Marie, who got to read books and watch movies with Kate on her lap. It is pretty precious to watch your children get close to your relatives, especially when they have been shy in the past. 

Saturday evening brought some new games and "old" movies (Elf!) Collin cruised around in his walker, Great-Grandma and Kate sat near the sweets and chatted while sneaking chocolate:) 

Cruisin' around...

Kate and Great-Grandma had some good times catching up!

On Sunday morning, Sam scrambled everyone up some eggs - so yummy! We went to church and then back to relax at home. We started a puzzle, Kate played out in the snow, we ate more treats:) We stayed quite awhile and had a nice trip back to Wisconsin, it snowed but the roads were fine. We had such a great time with everyone, but it was wonderful coming home. 

Dave was on call Monday and I spent the day cleaning up, unpacking and doing laundry - I didn't want to be doing that stuff on Christmas! On Christmas Eve, Dave stopped in to work, picked up my groceries:) and did a little last minute shopping:) We tried to make a traditional holiday meal on Christmas Eve since Dave wouldn't be called in (on call Christmas Day). We made ham, cheesy potato casserole, green beans and cranberry salad. Kate and I baked cookies for Santa and then we had to get ready for church. We went to Bethany Lutheran in New Lisbon at 4:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve, it was very full and we were just a bit late:) The kids were so stinking cute and did so well. Kate was beside herself as the ushers gave her a candle for the Silent Night at the end (and she did fine with that with heavy supervision from Mommy:) I said something to Kate about opening presents when we got home, she said that we had to wait for Santa to come. I informed her that we were going to open gifts from each other tonight, before Santa came..oops, I guess we didn't explain that very well!

Helping Mom make the holiday meal

After church, we came home, ate our yummy meal, cleaned up dishes (someone was starting to get impatient....and it wasn't just Kate:) tried to get some nice pictures in front of the tree and then finally sat down to open! We were home last year on Christmas Eve/Day and we were initially totally bummed to be away from family, but it turned out that we had so much fun, it was so precious to be in our home and watching our daughter experience Christmas. So, we were excited to be home again this year with both kids and hopefully have the same special time. Kate was a little more impatient, but it was wonderful. 

Collin trying get to Kate's gifts

Late on Christmas Eve...Santa had already come:)

Christmas Day brought Collin up first, I sent Daddy up to get him and sure enough I heard Kate's steps right afterward:) After opening gifts from Santa, we played, made waffles, Kate watched one of her new movies (The Little Mermaid!), played with her toys, we tried to take naps, Dave went out and used his new (to him) skis. Kate had asked Santa for one thing - Sofia's castle (from Sophia the First, a pretty big deal in our household:). It was so cute to hear her exclaim all morning, "Santa thinks I was good! He got it for me! I told you, Mom and Dad!" 

Finding gifts from Santa

We all received wonderful gifts and I would like to state my love (read sarcasm!) for all the tiny pieces that seem to make up Kate's gifts these days...how did we time that for when we have a newly mobile 10 month old?! I am constantly on high alert these days, did you know I can leap over the back of our couches? Sure can. Kate has been trained pretty well and my only complaint with her would be that she is overly zealous in her tiny toy patrol - yanking things out of his hands that are perfectly acceptable...well, part of the lesson is sticking!

I'm sure I am forgetting a ton of amazing, fun and memorable things I meant to write about but I cannot remember anything now:) It's safe to say that Christmas 2013 was a very joyous one and a great way to close out a very busy and blessed year.

Kate took this picture!