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Christmas was magical this year. We had a lovely time with both of our families and the gifts the girls gave us this year were so thoughtful. They all spent a lot of time creating or shopping for just the right thing. Above is an awesome gift Ellie made for me. I love that it is made out of legos because that captures her while she was making something special for ME! (This gift stems from this lovely trend.) Jill snuck back and purchased a beautiful vintage camera ornament for me and Kate made and adorable picture frame for Allen and I. Allen got similarly thoughtful gifts from the girls. I think we’ve turned the corner where it is now almost as much fun for them to give as it is for them to receive. (Almost.)
We started with an early celebration with the Jackson side of our family in mid December. I appreciate when it works out to do one of our Christmases early. It is almost like a release valve for all of the holiday stress that is increased exponentially every day we get closer to Christmas. It is nice for the kids to open and enjoy some presents early.
Before those presents we had the classic reading of the Night Before Christmas by my Dad with all the wrong words and jokes.
Then we woke up and pretended it was Christmas, but without the fat guy in the red suit. That role was essentially played by my parents. Ever since the new iPods were announced in September my older girls had been drooling. They were eagerly saving their pennies to buy it themselves. Kate was also saving but she makes less and started with less so she was planning on buying her very first iPod (we decided that she was finally responsible enough) but she was going to buy one of Jill or Ellie’s used iPods. So we were just waiting for Kate to earn enough to buy it. What they didn’t know is that my parents wanted to get them something special and they were so good about honoring our device policy. (We want our kids to pay into their devices so they appreciate them more and take care of them.) So it was a complete surprise when the girls opened their gift from Nana and Grampy. (Particularly for Kate who was going to be happy with an older version!)
We had fun with Jack and Henry too. I found these monogrammed super hero capes last summer and I just knew they had to have them! I can hardly wait to do a photo session with them. Stay tuned for that!
And speaking of thoughtful gift, as soon as the girls saw this book they knew it was perfect for my dad. And is was.
On the 24th we packed up and headed out to stay with Allen’s parents. Good thing Santa carries his own gifts (or sends them on ahead). We barely had enough room for Cooper!
We started our celebration with a quick family portrait session (thanks Phil!) because we never seem to have a good picture of all of us together. Good thing the Shoemakers came to dinner while it was still light out!
After church the girls quickly changed into their jammies and got a double billing for stories. Allen did a second reading of The Night Before Christmas and Dean told a quick story about the true meaning of Christmas. (Not sure what Ellie’s expression says there. Maybe let me go to sleep because I’m so excited that I can’t wait any longer for Christmas?)
Christmas morning didn’t come as early as we thought it would. We were sleeping on a different floor and the girls know they have to wait for us to come get them because Santa doesn’t wrap his gifts so they have to wait for us. We told the girls to text us (yes, we are THAT kind of family) if we didn’t come up by 7am. Allen and I were awake early so we started texting funny messages at 6:50. We heard nothing so we gave up and met my inlaws upstairs for coffee. The girls eventually emerged a bit later all bleary eyed and complaining about all our texting. I will be sure to replay that conversation for them in a few years.
This year there was no big themed gift. All of the girls asked for different gifts. Jill asked for the complete set of Maximum Ride books. (by James Patterson) She had read the first three and had been eagerly waiting for the next installment. Jill spend the rest of the day engrossed in her story.
Ellie was the only one to ask for Legos this year. We may be at the end of an era here. Of course that didn’t stop us from spending the ENTIRE day putting that one set together!
Kate asked for a set of four walkie talkies. Allen was excited for her to get this gift too because he was hoping to use them for skiing, but Kate really wanted them so she could give them to the neighbors and they could chat whenever they want. Turns out that Santa gave her some really long range walkie talkies and the Macy’s employees working two miles away at Kitsap Mall got a Merry Christmas from us after we heard about their towel inventory!
Santa was very good to Wanda and brought her an iPad. It was fun to spend our off time (when we weren’t putting legos together) helping her set up her new toy too.
Allen got a special yard gnome which he was clearly excited about.
Dean got tickets to the Seahawk game that I failed to get a picture of. Deana also got all sort of fun things too but I only have a picture of her giving Jill a special jewelry making kit. Jill is so excited to get to work!
The rest of our Christmas vacation was spend sleeping in, staying in our jammies, playing Mine Craft with friends (the girls, not us) and dancing with the Wii. The rule I’ve set up is that they have to dance to two songs for every hour of Mine Craft they play. That way they are using their brains and their booties! It was a lovely, low key way to finish our year.
Happy New Year all!