Saturday, December 25, 2010

Christmas: in pictures

Yesterday, we stopped by a local firehouse to drop off a few toys that we'd picked up for the Toys For Tots campaign.

IMG_0026

And after spending an hour there, I was reminded why firefighters are some of my favorite people on the planet.

IMG_0028

Not only do they save lives and property and voluntarily put themselves in danger, they are kind and funny and they will patiently take the time to give impromptu tours of their station and trucks. And they will patiently answer any question a six-year-old can throw at them.

IMG_0037

"When you slide down this pole, do you yell like Tarzan?"

IMG_0027

"I WOULD!"

When we returned home, Father and Daughter danced to The Nutcracker by firelight.

DSC_0012

(He did more dancing than she did.)

DSC_0015

(Notice her inspecting her nails while he pirouettes.)

Then, we decorated cookies for Santa.

DSC_0018

DSC_0021

Because we care, we tested them to be sure they were edible...

DSC_0024

Then, we enjoyed homemade peppermint stick ice cream.

DSC_0037

As we were cleaning the kitchen, the children - with no prompting from us - gathered around the tree and sang, Fah who foraze! Dah who doraze!

DSC_0029

Welcome, Christmas! Fah who rahmus!
Welcome, Christmas! Dah who dahmus!
Christmas Day will always be!
Just as long as we have we!

We love the Grinch and have only watched it 1,012 times this year.

DSC_0030

Continuing with our tradition of opening one gift on Christmas Eve, everyone opened a new pair of flannel pajamas.

DSC_0066

Then, I tried to get them to sit still for a picture. Without using a flash.

DSC_0056

That was easy!

Oh, but wait a minute ... aren't there FOUR?

DSC_0053

Come here, little blur!

DSC_0055

Good, except you're blocking someone...

DSC_0052

Good, except you're still blocking...

DSC_0059

Good, except ...

DSC_0062

Everyone, look at the camera!

DSC_0063

This is as good as it gets.

No. Really. Look at our cherubs. How did I ever get so lucky?

DSC_0060

A quick check of NORAD made us realize Santa has made it almost the whole way around the world. He's getting CLOSER! Children, you better jump in bed and cover up your head, because SANTA CLAUS is coming tonight!

DSC_0082

We placed cookies and milk for Santa, nine carrots for nine reindeer and completed a quick rearrangement of the Nativity.

DSC_0087

We read, "Twas the Night Before Christmas."

DSC_0070

And then we tucked excited children in to bed. Because Charlie and I had done no gift preparation before yesterday, we spent the next seven hours putting together toys, wrapping presents and clearing up the house. This is what it looked like before we went to sleep.

DSC_0090

And this is what it looked like, 10 minutes later.

DSC_0097

(Not really, but not too far off, either.)

We climbed in to bed and two hours later, we were joined by Henry.

Two hours after that, William was awake.

Two seconds after that, his sisters were awake. Infact, I think his screaming "THERE ARE GIFTS UNDER THE TREE! SANTA CAME!" woke up everyone in a one-square mile radius. I really wish this picture came out better because it is an adorable shot.

The excitement of a child on Christmas morning is positively unrivaled...

DSC_0102

DSC_0111

DSC_0125

DSC_0136

At one point, there were snow flurries that turned in to fat flakes falling from the sky and we were beside ourselves with excitement that it was SNOWING on CHRISTMAS. But then it suddenly stopped and melted, so we ate more chocolate and contemplated getting out of our pajamas. Which we finally did ... four hours later.

One of the children's favorite gifts was this little John Deere ride on toy. I've always wanted to buy the children one of these, but we never had the space in San Diego.

DSC_0134

Charlie realized that if he removed a pin, the speed would increase from 3 MPH to 6 MPH. Or some similar equivalent that would result in the driver going from "slow" to "fast."

I think the children's expressions captures it perfectly, especially Carolyn who reminds me of my mother whenever she's in the passenger seat and I'm driving. Today she has the grimace and arm brace down, I bet in the next week, she'll be stomping her foot on the imaginary brake, just like her Noni.

DSC_0138

This has been a wonderful, magical holiday. Of course, the thought did go through my mind that if I hadn't lost my pregnancy in May, today would have been my due date. And while it did make me sad for a moment, I was so overwhelmed with just how blessed and fortunate I am, the sadness didn't last for long. I was also so tired, whenever I'd stop to think, I'd fall asleep.

At one point I was laying down, testing out a Pillow Pet and Carolyn stopped playing her brand new harmonica just long enough to ask, "Mom, do you have visions of sugar plums dancing in your head?"

Yes, love. I sure do.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

8 comments:

  1. Happy Happy Holidays, one of my favorite blog families. Snow found you on Christmas--magic is in the air !~! may every step we take lead the way to Peace.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jen, I love your family and your blog.
    I'm so glad you all had a Merry Christmas.
    Enjoy the snow we'll be getting today and tomorrow and we'll look forward to the pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I like your old new house so much better than your new old house. I love your front room and how much space they have to play outside. That house is so completely meant for a big family.

    Looks like a blast!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Cute Jen! We had our first white Christmas ever in S.C! Sent by S.C. me thinks!! (How cool is that!) Merry Christmas! Love, Marg.

    PS The boys got a go-cart that goes faster with the pin out too! But I closed my eyes and ran in the house when I saw them drive it!! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. you have adorable kids! but i suspect you already knew that :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your cherubs grow more adorable by the day. Merry Christmas and big hugs to all of them as well as for you and Charlie.

    You never fail to delight me with your posts.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am an Australian reader from long ago. It's been a while since I've read your blog. Just read your Christmas post.....and LAUGHED! Oh, how I laughed!

    Merry Christmas beautiful family! xx :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. This was great...such a precious family!!

    ReplyDelete