Christmas 2010

Christmas this year, was just as exciting as it ever was as a child. It's a different excitement, but excitement, nonetheless. Christmas with kids--especially a three year old--is so fun, magical, and memorable.

It was our first Christmas to stay put, and it was SO enjoyable! We absolutely love traveling home for the holidays, and spending it with our loved ones, but having a Christmas with just our little family was a new, fun experience. There's something different about being in your own home, and having the kids run down to their tree Christmas morning.

We continued some traditions that I brought into our family from my family growing up. Starting with Chinese food for Christmas Eve dinner {at a fabulous Chinese buffet}. Then on Christmas morning, we had Eggs Benedict, my absolute favorite, followed by a huge Christmas dinner with just the four of us. My first (yes, first!) turkey was a complete success {thanks, Mom, for the tips}. We kind of went all out with a table full of food, and it was just the four of us!

Some Christmas Memories from 2010:

*Stone got to bed a bit late Christmas Eve. I finally said, "we better get to bed! We don't want Santa to skip our house and give your presents to another a little boy!" :::mean, I know, I know::: He quickly ran up to his bed, and not even 5 minutes later, he came out crying, saying, "oooooh nooooo!! I think Santa skipped us!!" Cliff then pulled up Norad (the Santa tracker) to show Stone that he was still on course to our home.

*We thought we could "play" Santa and make some noises to get Stone excited for the night after he was in bed. Cliff made some noise in the chimney, and I rang what I thought sounded like bells (but it was a long lost rattle that I had just found of Emerson's). I went in to Stone soon after and said, "Did you hear that?? Was that Santa??" He responded, "Ummm, that was not Santa. That was you shaking Emmy's toy." Oh crap. I didn't even fight him on it, afraid of spoiling it, so I said, "Oh yeah, not that, that was me. Did you hear the chimney?" And he said, "He's not here yet. That was not him." This kid is too smart.

*Stone's big Christmas present was a remote control helicopter. He plays with it ALL THE TIME. We end up crashing it quite a bit, which makes me so happy that I bought a $3 replacement/protection plan. He was playing with it the day after Christmas when I was picking up some things. I thought he was in his own little world playing away. I grabbed the box to the helicopter, and said to Cliff, "I guess we should keep this in case we need to replace it with the plan." Stone quickly said, "but Mom, Santa gave it to me. We can't do that." YIKES! If we're not careful, we will have a 4 year old not believing in Santa next year. I'm glad we had these few experiences this year to prepare us for next year when he's even smarter.

*Emerson got a doll, and clapped for joy. She was beyond thrilled to carry her doll around everywhere. We have video, and will put some clips together for the blog to show her excitement. Though she thoroughly enjoyed the morning, she's still about the wrapping paper and bows. For the last month or two, she's been clapping, waving, and saying Mama and Dadda appropriately. I can't believe she turns one in a month!

*I had to run to Hobby Lobby a few days before Christmas, and Stone said, "Mommy. Hobby Lobby....well....well, Hobby Lobby....it's kind of....well.....{trying to think of a word that he won't get in trouble for, but can't think of anything else} STUPID." I said to Stone, "That's not a nice word. Why do you say that??" He replied, "Well, it's a good store for you. It's not a good store for me. Hobby Lobby....doesn't work out for me." Haha!

You may recall the outtakes (really, they were just candids I snapped while Stone and Emerson were getting situated on Santa's lap) with Santa. I finallyfound the actual picture we paid for...

I'm guilty of not taking many pictures Christmas morning! But here are a few that show their excitement for the big day....

This whole month, we were full of thanks, joy, and love. I'm grateful for our Savior, and glad that we celebrate his birth every year. I'm so glad that Stone was able to understand the importance and significance of the holiday. We hope everyone had just as wonderful of a Christmas as we did.

Now on to a new year, new goals, and new habits.