Christmas 2017

Another magical time from 2017: Christmas. We were again blessed with a visit from family - the Harrelds flew out from UT, and we spent Christmas Eve with Don's mother and siblings and their families. I didn't take any pictures, but there were lively games and delicious food and Christmas movies and all the laughter and bustle entailed by large family gatherings. It was wonderful. Then we got the kids in their Christmas pajamas and headed home in the snow. Don did a dramatic reading of the Night Before Christmas and the kids were eager to get to bed so Santa could do his thing.

 Of course it was a late night, and the kids actually slept long enough for me to get cinnamon rolls in the oven. Per my families tradition, they got to open their Santa gifts first, and then we read the Christmas story before opening the rest.

Everyone made out like bandits. We got the kids scooters and nerf guns, Henry got a bedtime board book with family pictures in it. And about a million other gifts, each one so thoughtful and very well received. When Riley came in and saw her gifts from Santa she said, "Oh, I thought I was good, and I was!!"

Christmas meals: Cinnamon rolls for breakfast, chicken and wild rice soup with rosemary grilled cheese for lunch (I'm thinking a new Christmas tradition there) and ham and cheesey potatoes with rolls, green beans and chocolate cake for dinner. It was all pretty simple and mostly prepared ahead of time because I didn't want to be a stressed maniac on Christmas, and it was lovely.

Aaaand Christmas bowling: it was a little tricky to keep Henry from taking a dive down a lane, but we all made it out in one piece. I think Dave and Suzette were mostly in the lead, and I was definitely in the caboose. I blame it on the bowling ball I was carrying on my middle.

Not pictured: Crazy cold temperatures and a roaring fire in the wood-burning stove.
It was pretty perfect! We were sad to say goodbye the next day. Luckily, the kids were easily distracted by all their great gifts. Thanks to everyone who helped make our Christmas so special.


Other Christmas activities: attending the Nutcracker highlights performance at the Landmark center by the St. Paul ballet troupe (and the kids getting to dance with them this year!)

 Lots of Christmas baking - Dad got us the Polar Express in gingerbread house kit form, and of course we did sugar cookies.

 Church. Here is Joe and his adorable teacher, Sis. Garbow, and a very special Christmas gift she brought him. Then in church on Christmas Eve (saved by the emergency dum-dums when the service - excellent that it was - went long.

 The Primary Christmas performance at the ward party

Sledding.

 Ice skating! This is at the park right by our house. Riley and Joe are always itching to go skating. Me, not so much. But Dave is game - ever since the first time we moved to MN he's enjoyed hockey and skating, and likes to share that with the kids (and me, when I'm not pregnant).  Last time they went out, a couple weeks ago, he took Henry out on the ice in a stroller. Much fun was had by all.

As I finish this post, the decorations are stowed back under the stairs, the days are getting noticeably lighter longer, and we are starting to dream of spring and summer (nevermind the snowstorms we are currently in the middle of). But how I love all these Christmas memories. It truly is a magical time of year.